The rural community of Illushi in Esan South East Area of Edo State was yesterday thrown in to confusion as two rival cult groups clashed, leaving several persons injured.
The clash in Illushi, Esan South East local government area of the state came days after several cult clashes in Benin City,the Edo State capital left scores dead.
The council chairman,Hon Peter Iziogie Aguele speaking through his Special Assistant on Publicity and New Media,Ehikoya Agboga, said,he received a distress call from the community on Friday Morning informing him of a clash between two rival cult groups.
He said he called the Police and the Army who controlled the escalation of the crisis.
“Earlier today, Friday 12th February 2021, we received a distress call from Illushi community within the council area informing us about the clash between two rival youths groups in the community suspected to be cult groups and the Executive Chairman of the council Hon Peter Iziogie Aguele on receiving this informationimmediately ordered the deployment of security agencies to the community.’
“But somewhere along the way just after Oria by iyanmhon-river along the express way, we discovered the only access road to the community has been barricaded and completely blocked by some armed youths from illushi community.
“It took serious efforts by the Nigeria police to access the troubled community after a prolonged encounter with the armed youths, but the Nigeria Army has also confirmed that a detachment of soldiers will arrive Illushi soon in order to restore normalcy to the troubled community.” He said.
He also debunked the rumour making the rounds that the clash was between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the community.
Calls made to the mobile line of the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO)of the Edo State Police Command,SP Chidi Nwabuozor was not picked nor returned as at the time of filling this report.
