The police in Ogun State have confirmed the arrest of nine suspected cultists following the killing of eight persons over the weekend in Sagamu as rival cult groups clashed.
Speaking at a news conference in Abeokuta on Monday, Abiodun Alamutu, the commissioner of police in Ogun, identified a land transaction that took place in the town as the remote cause of the clashes.
“A land was sold and some form of commission or settlement was paid to a cult group by the owner of the land.
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“A rival cult group got to know about the payment and went after members of the other group in a bid to get a share of the commission.
“The situation degenerated into an attack and counter-attack which started from Wednesday and continued till Sunday, leading to the death of eight persons,” Alamutu said.
He said nine suspects have been arrested with evidence of their involvement in the killings. He added that two guns and some rounds of cartridges with evidence that they were recently fired were recovered from the suspects.
The investigation, according to the police boss, is still ongoing into the killings.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the local government Area, Jubril Odulate, has imposed a restriction on the use of motorcycles in the area between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily as authorities battle to restore peace to the troubled town.
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