Three suspected members of Eiye Confraternity were killed Sunday in a confrontation with vigilance groups in Ilorin, Kwara State, which allegedly mistook them for armed robbers after their initiation in a hide-out in Ilorin. 

The incident also left four of the outlaws critically injured, while 18 were arrested. Confirming the incident, the Kwara Police Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Fabode (DSP), said the command acted on a tip-off on Saturday night that suspected armed robbers were hiding in a bush adjoining NASFAT Village, along Airport Road, on the outskirts of Ilorin.

Fabode said the information "prompted various vigilance groups in the communities around the place to mount sentries on all roads leading to the bush and waited until the early hours of yesterday when the Eiye Confraternity completed its initiation.

"Sighting the ambush laid on them, they attempted an escape but the vigilance groups mistook them for armed robbers and opened fire on them."

In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, he said, three of the cult members fell and were almost burnt to ashes before the men of the command got there. He confirmed that three cult members died, four critically injured and 18 of them picked up and being interrogated by the state CID.