Kwara Poly shut after cult clashes leave 16 dead, 30 arrested

At least 16 people have been killed in suspected cult clashes at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

Kwara state police spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi said the force has made 30 arrests after the deadly clashes believed to have been triggered by “Aiye” and “Eiye” cult gangs.

Authorities say they have closed the school indefinitely.

Nigerian tertiary institutions are notorious for bloody cult clashes, some of which are linked to Student Union Governments (SUG).

The current Kwara Poly clash was reportedly triggered after a student was shot dead during a screening of aspirants for the SUG election at the weekend.

Another victim was killed at Asa Dam Road area of Ilorin by cultists suspected to be from the Eiye side.

Reports said both suspected murders spiraled into the killing spree that has now claimed 16 lives.

Cultists are known to count scores when they kill members of rival gangs.

Eyewitnesses said the killing spread to other parts of the metropolis such as Agbooba, Baboko, Sabonline, Irewolede and Niger Road, reports say.

“A victim who lived at Agbooba was killed beside a bridge close to the filling station at Oja Tuntun area of Ilorin,” an eyewitness told local media.

“Another dead body was found at Victory Hotel, Agbooba on Sunday. One suspected cultist was murdered at Irewolede yesterday. The deceased was chased to the area and in the process was matcheted by his assailants.”

The police said they have arrested 30 suspects, 14 among whom are most likely to be involved in the renewed clashes.

They said the suspects will soon be charged to court.

.