From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Panic and apprehension gripped residents of Osogbo, Osun State, Friday as assailants killed a suspected cultist, Tajudeen Rabiu (aka Spanner).
The suspected cultist, a 45-year-old man, was shot dead in front of his wife’s shop at Ilesa Garage Area, Osogbo, the state capital.
The incident that happened around 12:40 pm threw residents of the town into panic as shops were closed earlier than usual due to the fear of reprisal by the faction group.
It was gathered that a 7-year-old daughter of the deceased was also shot.
The assailants were said to have arrived in an intra-city minibus known as a korope and shot him in the chest.
Sources told Saturday Sun that the assailants arrived from the bus and went straight to invite Rabiu from where he was sitting.
According to the source, “he was invited as if they wanted to talk to him. They took him to the main reason and shot him in the chest. He struggled for a while before he fell.
“The man that shot him immediately went to a Lexus jeep parked on the highway and drove towards Ilesa road.”
Another source said the assailants waited to ensure that Rabiu died before they run away.
However, the spokesperson of the police command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident.
According to the police, some unidentified persons on a Bajaj motorcycle perpetrated the act and fled the scene immediately.
Opalola said the victim, a suspected culture, was found dead, while police are keeping vigil over the area to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order.
She urged residents to go about their lawful duty without fear, saying that “the situation is under watch.”