Again, one killed, scores injured as Osun rival gangs clash

One Abeeb Abifarin of Okedada compound, Ejigbo, Osun State, was on Tuesday pronounced dead following deadly clashes between rival groups in the town.

Many people were also said to have been injured in the clashes involving members of the Lion Base Club of Olukola’s compound and the Isale Agooji Club, which started on Monday evening in the Orieru area before it spread to other parts of the town.

Abeeb was reportedly shot dead around 7.45pm on Monday when a fight broke out between the two groups.

Sources said the deceased’s left arm was severed by the attackers.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told PUNCH Metro that a yet-to-be identified man was also killed on Tuesday morning after security men were deployed to quell the unrest.

But veracity of his claim could not, however, be immediately ascertained.

Sources also said the clashes paralysed economic activities in the town, as residents stayed in doors to avoid being hit by stray bullets.

Apart from many business premises that were locked, the Ejigbo Local Government Council secretariat was also shut and workers turned back.

It was further learnt that the combatants, who were armed with dangerous weapons, clashed in Sagan, Orieru, Port junction and roundabout Areas till the early hours of Tuesday.

Although the cause of the fight could not be immediately ascertained, a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told PUNCH Metro that the groups were fighting over a gift of N150,000, given to them by a company that recently erected a mast in the town. Punch