A violent confrontation between suspected rival cult groups at Ilorin’s Oja-Oba Market on Friday left one man dead and threw the busy commercial hub into chaos, as traders abandoned their stalls and commuters scrambled to avoid the crossfire.

The incident occurred a few minutes before noon, with witnesses reporting that rival groups engaged in a daylight gun battle in the densely populated market. The victim was seen lying in a pool of blood with a gun beside him. The violent encounter sparked panic across the market area, forcing motorists and pedestrians to avoid major routes including Emir Road, Ita-Ajia and the Gambari axis, while traders hurriedly shut their stalls and fled to safer locations.

The deceased has been identified as Ahmed Muse, described by anti-cultism group Naija Confra as the leader of the Aye cult group in the area. Police officers evacuated his body from the scene in a Hilux patrol vehicle. One suspect, dressed in white traditional attire, was apprehended and taken into custody at the C Division Police Station at Oja-Oba.

Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the incident, saying an investigation had commenced and those involved would be brought to justice.

The latest clash comes amid ongoing efforts by the Kwara State Police Command to clamp down on cult-related activities across Ilorin and other parts of the state, following a fatal shooting on January 6, 2026, in the Kulende area of Ilorin, where a 28-year-old man was shot dead by suspected cultists.