Suspected cultists kill tricycle operator in Ilorin

By Saka Laaro, 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 corpse in front of a mosque at Abayawo area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

Witnesses of the incident, who said that the assailants shot the tricyclist, added that the assailants removed his left eye and left hand during a cult attack that occurred on Monday.

It was gathered that the attack occurred at about 12am on Monday as residents of Abayawo and Gambari communities were apprehensive and sleepless while the trouble raged.

Sources said that rival cult groups were involved in supremacy battles, as they were said to have engaged in fierce gun battle.

A resident of Abayawo revealed that some young fierce-looking men had stormed the community in tricycles at about 9:00pm armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.

The source, who said that pandemonium erupted while residents ran helter skelter as the cult members shot severally since 9:00pm, added that Samad met his death at about 4:00am when he came out and was ambushed by the cult members who reportedly shot him.

“It was while Samad was trying to manouvre his way through one corner= that he was chased and was shot. After he was confirmed to have given up the ghost was when his corpse was dragged to the main road in front of the mosque while his left eye and left hand were removed and taken away.

“Remains of Samad, the tricycle operator, was reportedly taken to the Moslem cemetery, Osere, Ilorin for burial.”