A 25-year-old Higher National Diploma (HND) student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), identified as Ayodele Peter, has been murdered by suspected cultists in the Opomulero area of Owo, Ondo State.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, December 14, 2025, has left the academic community in shock, particularly as Peter—popularly known as Don P—was still grieving the loss of his mother, who died just three weeks ago.
Details of the Attack
Assailants reportedly stormed Peter’s residence under the guise of being visitors. A community source described the chilling moment:
“We received a call yesterday evening that Peter was shot by some guys believed to be cultists. We were told that they pretended to be visitors, called him out of his apartment and shot him at point-blank range. He struggled to stay alive before he was rushed to the hospital,”.
Peter was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, where he was eventually confirmed dead.
Origin of the Violence
According to the anti-cultism platform Naija Confra, the violence was a reprisal attack stemming from a dispute during a birthday celebration last Thursday. The group reported that an altercation began when an Eiye cult leader ordered the assault of a female student.
The platform detailed the escalation:
“The incident began last Thursday inside RUGIPO, when Eiye cultists were playing their cult songs loudly to celebrate their member’s birthday… The Eiye leader (Ibaka) called a female student, who refused to come. He then instructed another Eiye cultist named Smally to slap her, which he did,”.
This led to a confrontation with members of the Buccaneers confraternity, resulting in destroyed phones and subsequent retaliatory attacks that culminated in Peter’s death.
Police Response
The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one suspect in connection with the murder. Police spokesperson DSP Jimoh Kazeem stated that a manhunt is ongoing for other fleeing suspects and that the arrested individual is providing “useful statements”.
