Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested not less than 18 suspect following the murder of a popular ‘area boy’ called Tommy in Abeokuta, the state’s capital.

Tommy was reportedly killed on Thursday night at Panseke by some yet-to-be-identified persons.

The victim was said to be a resident of Oluwo and was trailed to Panseke where he reportedly went to buy food when some men weilding various weapons stormed the place and pounced on Tommy.

He was reportedly dealt several machete cuts by the assailants who waited till he breathed his last before leaving the scene.

The development forced many residents of Oluwo to flee their homes after the area was gripped by palpable fear, The PUNCH reports.

A source said Tommy’s assailants butchered him in the head and other parts of his body, leaving him dead in a pool of his own blood.

It was gathered that the victim might have been killed by members of the Aiye confraternity, as he was rumoured to have been a member of the rival Eiye cult group.

Shops and residential buildings were under lock and key at Oluwo, The PUNCH confirmed.

The area which is mostly populated by students was deserted as many of them were already planning to travel to their various homes.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, when contacted, confirmed the incident, saying it was a cult clash.

Oyeyemi said 18 persons had been arrested in connection with the killing.

He enjoined residents of the area not to panic, saying, the police was on top of the situation.

Oyeyemi said, “It was a cult clash and the cultists killed one of them last night around Panseke. 18 suspects have since been arrested in connection with the incident.

“The people need not be afraid. We have deployed policemen to the area. We are on top of the situation.”