From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
A 23-year-old male commercial tricycle operator, simply identified as Samad, has lost his life in a cult clash in Ilorin, Kwara State.
It was gathered that members of a secret cult group, identified as the suspected killers of the young man, took his life and dumped his body in front of a mosque at Abayawo Ilorin. A witness of the incident said the assailants shot the tricyclist and removed his left eye and left hand during a cult attack on Monday.
It was gathered that the attack occurred at about 12am, on Sunday, as residents of the Abayawo and Gambari communities were apprehensive and sleepless while the trouble raged. Sources said rival cult groups were involved in supremacy battles, as they were said to have engaged in a fierce gun battle.
A resident of Abayawo revealed that some young fierce-looking men had stormed the community in tricycles at about 9pm, on Sunday, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.
The source, who said pandemonium erupted while residents ran helter-skelter as the cult members shot severally since 9pm, added that Samad met his death at about 4am when he came out and was ambushed by the cult members who reportedly shot him.
“It was while Samad was trying to maneuver his way through one corner that he was chased and shot.
After he was confirmed to have given up the ghost his body was dragged to the main road in front of the mosque, while his left eye and left hand were removed and taken away,” the source said.
The remains of Samad, the tricycle operator, were reportedly taken to the Moslem Cemetery, Osere, Ilorin, on Monday morning, for burial.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident.
He said: “Though they didn’t report the case, when we heard about it, our men went there but his body had been taken away for burial by the family before their arrival.”