Seven people have been arrested over the killing of four others in a cult clash in the Sagamu area of Ogun State on Monday, police authorities say. 

The state police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, told People Gazette that the clash was between the Eiye and Aiye confraternities in the early hours of the day. 

Ms Odutola also denied social media reports that 20 people were killed in the clash, adding that the police are already on ground to assess the situation.

“Twenty people did not die, four people died,” said Ms Odutola. “It was a rival cult clash between Eiye and Aiye; they killed four people.”

She added, “The police swung into action. The seven cultists who were involved in the clash, the police have arrested all of them, they were found with firearms. I’m upstairs; I’m seeing them downstairs.”

Videos that circulated on social media showed lifeless, bloodied and mutilated bodies of the victims on the floor.

Muyiwa Adejobi, public relations officer of the Nigeria Police Force, had earlier, in a post on the X platform, assured that necessary steps will be taken to address the cultists’ incessant deadly activities.

Mr Adejobi said, “We will discuss this with the CP and take the necessary steps. In Sagamu, almost everyone is a cultist. Okada riders, artisans, etc., are into cultism, even more than students, and I think the whole town and Remoland in general should take action on it.”

He called for urgent action by the community, in collaboration with the police and vigilantes, to address the constant clashes. 

“Sagamu case goes beyond the mere anti-cultism squad. The elders know how to handle them. The politicians know what to do. I was in their midst in Sagamu between 2006 and 2008. But no single cult clash before I left in 2008. I worked with them with the late Akarigbo, oba Michael Sonariwo and others,” he added.