A student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO) in Ondo State has been shot dead by suspected cultists, in a tragic incident that occurred barely three weeks after he lost his mother.
Evening Attack in Opomulero, Owo
The victim, identified simply as Peter and also known as Don P, was killed in the Opomulero area of Owo on Sunday, December 14, 2025. According to community sources, the assailants stormed the neighbourhood in the evening while searching for rival cult members.
They reportedly located Peter at his residence. The attackers pretended to be visitors, called him out of his apartment, and shot him at point-blank range. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
A Tragedy Compounded by Recent Loss
This violent death compounds an already profound personal tragedy for Peter's family. A source confirmed to Punch that the deceased student's mother had died just three weeks prior to the attack. Peter was reportedly still in mourning at the time of his killing.
"Peter was still mourning the loss of his mother, who died three weeks ago before this unfortunate incident," the source stated.
Roots in Campus Cult Rivalry: Eiye vs Buccaneers
An anti-cultism advocacy platform, Naija Confra, provided a detailed account linking the murder to an escalating feud between two notorious cult groups: the Eiye Confraternity and the Buccaneers.
The platform stated that the violence began on Thursday, December 11, 2025, during a birthday celebration by Eiye members inside RUGIPO. An altercation broke out after an Eiye leader, identified as Ibaka, ordered the assault of a female student who refused his summons. A cultist named Smally carried out the order, slapping her.
This act sparked a confrontation with Buccaneers members present. The situation deteriorated further when a Buccaneer refused to greet the Eiye leader and was attacked, with his phone destroyed. The Buccaneers later retaliated by attacking Eiye members and seizing their phones.
The killing of Peter on Sunday night is believed to be a reprisal attack by the Eiye confraternity, marking a deadly escalation in the campus rivalry.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the RUGIPO community and Owo town, highlighting the persistent threat of cult-related violence in and around educational institutions in Nigeria.
