Fear has gripped parts of Ilesa, Osun State, following a clash between suspected members of rival cult groups that left at least five people dead and several others injured.

The violence reportedly began around 8:00 p.m. on Monday in the Imo area of Ilesa township, where suspected members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities engaged in a deadly confrontation.

Three persons, identified simply as Idowu, Yinka and Eja, were reportedly killed during the initial clash.

Tension escalated the following day when a suspected reprisal attack occurred in the Boluwaduro area of the town, resulting in the deaths of two other persons believed to be cult members.

The latest violence has heightened concerns among residents, with fears that further clashes could occur in other parts of Ilesa if the situation is not brought under control.

Confirming the incidents, spokesperson for the command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Commissioner of Police in charge of security for the 2026 Osun State governorship election, Samuel Erale Etaifo, had ordered the immediate deployment of operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to Ilesa.

According to Ojelabi, the deployment was aimed at preventing further escalation, arresting those responsible for the violence and restoring calm to the affected areas.

In a statement, the police spokesperson said four expended cartridges and two Android mobile phones were recovered from the scene of the initial incident, while preliminary investigations had commenced.

“The Command is also working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify all persons connected with the clash,” Ojelabi said.

He added that the police commissioner had directed VCRU operatives and other tactical teams to intensify patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations across Ilesa and neighbouring communities.

The operations, he said, would focus particularly on identified flashpoints to prevent further violence or reprisal attacks.

When contacted yesterday on the killing in the Boluwaduro area, Ojelabi confirmed that two persons had been killed and two others seriously injured.