Fresh graduate killed by stray bullet during cult clash in Osun

A fresh graduate of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, identified simply as Taoreed, has been confirmed dead after being struck by a stray bullet during a clash between rival cult groups in the community.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 23, a day after cult violence first broke out near the school premises during the signing-out celebrations of final-year students.

Eyewitnesses said gunshots erupted on Monday, September 22, forcing students to flee for safety, with one final-year student killed in the process.

The following day, Taoreed, who had just collected his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter, was reportedly waiting along the Ilesa–Esa-Oke Road to board a bus home when gunmen launched a reprisal attack.

He was hit by a stray bullet and later found unresponsive in a nearby bush, with his NYSC call-up letter discovered in his bag.

A student of the institution described the incident as “a terrible situation,” noting that similar cult-related violence had marred sign-out events in previous years.

A video from the scene showed students running in panic as gunfire rang out near the school gate.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the clash claimed two lives.

“It was a cult clash. Two students were killed. One died on the spot, and the other died in the hospital. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators,” Ojelabi stated.