Three people have been killed in a suspected cult clash involving members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities in Ilesa, Osun State.

The incident occurred around 8pm on Monday in the Imo area of Ilesa, according to the Osun State Police Command.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement obtained by journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Ojelabi said the victims, identified only as Idowu, Yinka and Eja, were reportedly shot dead during the clash.

Following a distress call, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election, Samuel Erale Etaifo, ordered the deployment of operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit to the area.

The police said four expended cartridges and two Android mobile phones were recovered from the scene, while preliminary investigations had commenced.

The statement quoted Etaifo as directing the VCRU and other tactical teams to intensify patrols, surveillance and intelligence-led operations in Ilesa and adjoining areas, particularly at identified flashpoints, to prevent reprisal attacks.

The police warned members of rival cult groups and other criminal elements against exploiting the incident to cause further violence.

It said anyone found involved in cult-related violence, reprisal attacks, unlawful possession of firearms or other criminal activities would be arrested and prosecuted.

The command also urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and report suspicious activities to the police.

The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Osun ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with the state recording a series of violent incidents in recent months.