Four Confirmed Dead in Owo Cult Clashes Amid Growing Tension In Ondo State

A violent clash between rival cult groups the Aye and Eye fraternities in Owo, Ondo State, has resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a woman, her son and two prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Owo Local Government.

The victims have been identified as Fisayo Oladipo, Adedeji Rafiu, and Mrs Adetokun Surajudeen alongside her son while Mrs Ogunoye Adeboye Clara and her daughter Olajide Adebusola Cynthia and her son Olajide Adewumi Raymond sustained serious injuries.

In a recent interview, Mrs. Ogunoye Adeboye Clara, currently receiving medical treatment at emergency department in the Federal Medical Center Owo along with her children Olajide Adebusola Cynthia and Olajide Adewumi Raymond , recounted the attack and expressed fears for her family’s safety.

She revealed that her husband, Kazeem Olajide had to flee from possible imminent threats of death after he openly declared support for his father-in-law’s ambition to ascend the throne in 2019 and when he reported every attacks on his father-In-law at the police station, as he immediately became the target of the opposition camp.

She further stated that her husband’s whereabouts was largely unknown to anyone immediately after the last attack on him again in August 9th 2023 in Lagos State .

According to her, the assailants thereafter issued more threats to her saying , “When next we visit you, we will kill you and your children.” Or your husband face death penalty anytime we find him and take his life.

Mrs. Ogunoye Adeboye Clara recalled that the root of the conflict dates back 2019, following the passing of Late Dr Victor Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III . She said that her father is the first son of the royal family of the late Oba Adekola Ogunye Il, had aspired to the throne of Owo but was reportedly denied the kingship due to his lack of formal education where his son-in-law Kazeem Olajide intervened and became a target.

Mrs Clara further lamented that the title rather than following the proper zoning arrangement was thereafter given to another member of the same royal family with political manipulation appointment .

According to Mrs. Ogunoye Adeboye Clara, her father subsequently suffered prolonged health struggles, physical assault , which was attributed to spiritual attacks as he was eventually moving from one hospital to another for treatment until his sudden death in late 2024.

Fearing continued unrest, her family relocated to Akure, Ondo State and another undisclosed state within the country for safety and returned to Owo for her late father’s burial between 12th -14th of December 2024 when the attack occurred again in January 6th 2025.

In the face of obvious threats to her life and that of her immediate family, Mrs. Ogunoye Adeboye Clara thereafter appealed to the government for urgent intervention in apprehending the perpetrators and political sponsors of the cult clashes in Owo adding that she now lives in perpetual fear over the safety of her life and that of her children.