Ondo Polytechnic Student Shot Dead by Suspected Cultists Weeks After Mother’s Death

Suspected cultists have reportedly killed a student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, identified simply as Peter, in what residents and security observers have described as a cult related attack linked to an ongoing rivalry between rival groups in the area.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening, December 14, 2025, in the Opomulero area of Owo, a community located close to the polytechnic. Witnesses said the assailants stormed the area while searching for suspected members of a rival cult group.

A source in the community told Punch on Monday that the attackers allegedly pretended to be visitors before calling Peter out of his residence. He was reportedly shot at close range during the encounter.

“We received a call that Peter had been shot by some guys believed to be cultists. They reportedly posed as visitors, called him out of his apartment and shot him. He struggled to survive before he was eventually rushed to the hospital,” the source said.

Peter was later confirmed dead at the hospital despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life.

Another source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the deceased, also known among his peers as Don P, was still mourning the loss of his mother, who reportedly died just three weeks before the attack.

“Peter was still grieving his mother’s death when this unfortunate incident happened,” the source said, describing the killing as a devastating blow to the family.

Further details surrounding the killing were provided by an anti cultism advocacy platform, Naija Confra, which linked the incident to a series of violent reprisals between rival cult groups operating within and around the polytechnic community.

According to the platform, the violence allegedly began last Thursday during a birthday celebration involving members of the Eiye cult group. It was claimed that tensions rose after an Eiye leader ordered the assault of a female student who had refused to respond to his call, an act that reportedly angered members of the Buccaneers cult group present at the scene.

Naija Confra further alleged that a Buccaneers member was later attacked after refusing to submit to intimidation, with his phone destroyed. The incident reportedly triggered a cycle of retaliatory attacks between the rival groups, including assaults and the seizure of personal belongings.

The platform stated that these reprisals eventually culminated in the killing of Peter on Sunday night, heightening fears of renewed cult violence in the area.

As of the time of filing this report, the Ondo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement or confirm any arrests in connection with the incident. Residents have expressed concern over the resurgence of cult related violence and have called on security agencies, community leaders, and school authorities to urgently step up security measures to prevent further loss of life.