2 Osun Poly Students killed As Rival Cult Groups Clash In Esa Oke
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Two students have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Esa-Oke, a town in Osun State.
One of the victims, identified only as Taoreed, was a recent graduate of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke. The other was reportedly an undergraduate of the same institution.
Taoreed was said to have been struck by a stray bullet during a shootout between rival cult groups. The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 23, shortly after he collected his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter from the school.
Eyewitnesses revealed that the violence began a day earlier Monday, September 22 when suspected cult members clashed near the school premises during a signing-out celebration for final-year students.
A student who witnessed the incident but requested anonymity said gunshots rang out during the celebration, sending students scrambling for safety.
“We were signing out after our exams when we suddenly heard gunshots outside the school. Everyone ran. Later, we found out that a final-year student had been killed. It was terrifying,” the student recounted.
He added that similar violence occurred during last year’s signing-out celebration, describing a troubling trend of insecurity during such events.
A video from the scene showed students fleeing in panic near the school gate as gunfire erupted.
According to a police source, Taoreed was caught in a reprisal attack the next day while waiting to board a bus along the Ilesa–Esa-Oke Road. He had just left the campus with his NYSC letter when gunmen stormed the area and opened fire.
“It was a targeted reprisal after the killing on Monday. Unfortunately, Taoreed was in the area when the shooting started. He ran for safety, unaware he had been hit by a stray bullet. He was later found unresponsive in a nearby bush,” the source said.
His NYSC call-up letter was found inside a black crossbody bag he was carrying.
When contacted, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident.
“It was a cult-related clash. Two students were killed one died at the scene, and the other in the hospital. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible,” Ojelabi said.
The tragic incident has sparked renewed concerns over student safety and cult-related violence in tertiary institutions across the state.
