A suspected clash between rival cult groups in the Ilese area of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, has claimed the lives of a police officer and a yet-to-be-identified passerby.

A community source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told our correspondent on Sunday that the violence broke out around 10 p.m. on Saturday when suspected cultists invaded the area and began shooting indiscriminately.

According to the source, the attack was believed to be a confrontation between members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities.

“Tragedy struck last night around 10 p.m. at Ilese. Two people were killed in a suspected clash between Aiye and Eiye cult groups. One of the victims was a police officer serving at the Obalende Division, Ijebu-Ode, known simply as Olamilekan, while the second victim has not been identified,” the source said. “They stormed the area shooting sporadically and threw residents into panic.”

Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, said he had received reports of the attack but was still awaiting a full briefing.

“I can confirm that a police officer was a victim in the incident. I am still waiting for the details of what really happened,” he said.

The incident adds to a troubling trend of recent attacks targeting police personnel.

Last Tuesday, five police officers were killed and two others injured in what authorities described as an ambush by suspected gunmen in Sabon Sara village, Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Three days earlier, another officer was confirmed dead in the Federal Capital Territory while repelling gunmen attempting to abduct residents.