The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four individuals allegedly linked to the recent murder of a barber at Isale Oja Kuto in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. This tragic incident, which took place on Wednesday, is believed to have been carried out by members of a suspected cult group, marking yet another violent episode in the region.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, provided details on the arrests, revealing that they were made in connection with an ongoing investigation into a series of violent attacks attributed to rival cult groups. The arrests came just after another brutal killing on Friday night, when a 48-year-old Point of Service (POS) operator, Fatai Kehinde, was murdered under the Kuto Bridge in Abeokuta.
Kehinde, affectionately known as “Faity” within his community, was not just a business owner but also the son of the Baale of Kuto, a respected local leader. According to eyewitness accounts, the POS operator was ambushed by his assailants while he was at his shop inside the Kuto market.
In a desperate attempt to escape, he fled the market, but the attackers relentlessly pursued him to the area beneath the Kuto bridge, where he was savagely butchered. The brazen nature of this attack, coupled with its ruthless execution, has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many residents in a state of fear and outrage.
Speaking on the arrests, Commissioner Alamutu stated, “We have successfully arrested four people in connection with the killing of the barber by some suspected cultists a few days ago. We are also on the trail of others, and this is just to say that there is no hiding place for criminals in the state.
We will apprehend everyone involved in the killings and make them answer for their actions.” His words underscore the police force’s determination to crack down on the growing threat of cultism, which has been a persistent problem in Ogun State.
Cult-related violence has long been a scourge in many parts of Ogun State, with rival groups often engaging in deadly clashes that leave innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Despite various efforts by the police and other security agencies to curb this menace, including offering amnesty to cult members willing to renounce their affiliations, the problem persists. The recent murders of the barber and Kehinde have reignited concerns about the effectiveness of these interventions and the ongoing challenge of maintaining public safety in the face of such violence.
The police’s swift action in arresting suspects linked to these killings has been met with cautious optimism by the community, but there is a growing demand for more proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place. Residents of Abeokuta, particularly those in the Kuto area, are calling for increased security presence and more robust community policing initiatives to deter cultists and other criminal elements.
As the investigation continues, the Ogun State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to bringing all those responsible to justice. Commissioner Alamutu’s assurance that there will be “no hiding place for criminals” resonates with the broader goal of restoring peace and security in the state. However, the community remains on edge, with many hoping that these arrests will mark the beginning of a more sustained effort to eradicate cultism and its associated violence.
The deaths of the barber and Kehinde serve as grim reminders of the human toll of this ongoing conflict. As families mourn their loved ones, the state faces the daunting task of addressing the root causes of cultism and finding long-term solutions to the violence that has plagued its communities. Until then, the people of Ogun State remain vigilant, hoping for an end to the cycle of fear and bloodshed that has gripped their neighborhoods.
