By Deborah Nnamdi
Two students have been confirmed dead following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Esa-Oke, Osun State.
One of the victims, identified simply as Taoreed, was a fresh graduate of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke. He was reportedly hit by a stray bullet on Tuesday, September 23, shortly after collecting his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter. The second victim was said to be an undergraduate of the state-owned polytechnic.
Eyewitnesses said the violence began on Monday, September 22, during the signing-out celebration of final-year students near the school premises. Gunshots were heard, forcing many students to flee. A student who witnessed the incident, but asked not to be named, recalled that a final-year student was killed in the initial attack, describing the situation as “terrible and frightening.”
Videos from the scene showed panic as students ran for safety while gunfire erupted around the school gate.
Police sources confirmed that Taoreed was caught in a reprisal attack the following day along the Ilesa–Esa-Oke Road. He was said to have been waiting for a bus home when gunmen opened fire on their rivals. A stray bullet struck him, and he was later found unresponsive in a nearby bush, with his NYSC call-up letter still in the bag he carried.
The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident, describing it as a cult-related clash.
“It was a cult clash. Two students were killed. One died on the spot, and the other died in the hospital. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators,” Ojelabi said.
The latest tragedy has again raised concerns over recurring violence during student celebrations in the institution.
