According to reports, three people were killed following a violent battle between competing cult groups during the Osun Osogbo festival.
Fighting broke out during the grand finale of the renowned worldwide traditional festival, resulting in 12 additional people suffering injuries of varied severity.
Although the cause of the altercation and the identities of the deceased victims are yet unknown, Platinum Times learned that hoodlums were spotted openly wielding various hazardous weapons.
The numerous hoodlums who arrived also ruined the festivities, terrifying locals and visitors in the Jaleyemi and Isale-Osun regions of Osogbo.
The Chairman of the Hunters Group of Nigeria, Ahmed Nureni, confirmed the occurrence and said three dead had been seen around the grove in addition to 10 other members of the group being hurt.
Nureni also disclosed that the staff members of the nearby Hunters and Forest Security Service office were hurt in the attack and vandalism.
“We sighted three dead bodies, though we don’t know their identities. Meanwhile, our office in the Jaleyemi area was also vandalised and in the process, the ten personnel were injured.”
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams also frowned at the development.
Adams who made this known while addressing members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC also described the cult clash as an invasion of the Osun grove aimed at tarnishing the international status of the Osun Osogbo festival.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to ensure adequate security for tourists and visitors to safeguard the sanctity of the spiritual festival.
“It is unfortunate that cultists and miscreants have been taking advantage of the hospitality of the festival to create a platform for cult rivalry, which the Osun goddess abhors and we must collectively stop the trend.
“This is an opportunity for Osun and Nigeria to attract tourism development. Osun-Osogbo is renowned globally and we must protect and project it to the whole world.”
Adams warned that nothing must hinder the advancement of the festival and Yoruba tradition.
Witnesses, however, claim the violence started when a member of the Hunters Group of Nigeria allegedly struck an OPC leader with a charmed ring.