17 feared dead in Sagamu cultists clash, as Ogun Govt orders curfew
No fewer than 17 persons are feared to have been killed in a clash between two rival cultists group in Sagamu, Ogun state.
It was gathered that the latest supremacy battle between Eiye and Aiye confraternities which started on Friday, was said to have claimed the lives of about 17 young boys, including secondary school pupils.
Reacting to the cult killings in Sagamu on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the situation goes beyond the deployment of an anti-cultism squad, stressing that all hands must be on deck.
He said, “The Sagamu case goes beyond the mere anti-cultism squad. The elders know how to handle them. The politicians know what to do. I was in their midst in Sagamu between 2006 and 2008. But no single cult clash before I left in 2008.
“I worked then with the late Akarigbo, Oba Michael Sonariwo and others.”
The Force PRO added that the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abiodun Alamutu, should look inward and take action on the report by some residents that the cultists are well known to security agents.
“I will engage the CP on this. Whoever is dealing with cultists and criminals must not compromise. That person must stand firm, and operate against all odds.”
Adejobi added, “Most of those who cause this ‘wahala’ (problem) in Sagamu are not even Sagamites. At times, they come from Ijebu Ode or Ago Iwoye to strike and move.
“In some cases, they come as far as Edo State. It’s a problem that the whole system must tackle, not only the security forces. It requires multi-track diplomacy.
“We will discuss this with the CP and take the necessary steps. In Sagamu, almost every young one is a cultist. Okada riders, artisans, etc. are into cultism even more than students, and I think the whole town and Remoland, in general, should take action on it.
“I think the community should rise up to it. They should have an urgent meeting with the heads of all the quarters in Sagamu with the police and vigilante group to address this matter. Sagamites know and understand what I am saying here. I worked in Sagamu for almost two years.”
In a similar vein, the Ogun State government has announced restriction of movement from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The government urged residents of the town to abide by the restriction order pending the time the security of the area will improve, as police and other security agencies are on top of the situation to restore normalcy.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran, a copy of which was made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on Monday.
The statement assured residents of the town of their security and property.
“This is to notify residents of Sagamu and its environs of total restriction of human and vehicular movement as a way of taking firm control of the security architecture of the area and protect the lives of the people and their property.
“We, therefore, implore the residents of the area to abide strictly by this restriction order and cooperate with security agencies to restore normalcy and bring perpetrators of these dastardly acts to book immediately,” the statement read.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has also directed security agencies in the State to rid Sagamu and its environs of the menace of cultists and cult-related activities in the State.
Governor Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, regretted the avoidable loss of innocent lives and wanton destruction of properties by the hoodlums.
According to him, the police and sister security agencies have been given a matching order to deal ruthlessly and decisively with those disturbing the peace of the town.
Reiterating the state government’s zero tolerance to acts of brigandage and lawlessness, Prince Abiodun warned that those responsible for this current crisis will find themselves to blame.
He said: “As a responsible and responsive government, we are very sad with the resurgence of activities of criminal elements under different outlawed groups, raising unnecessary tension in the sleepy town of Sagamu and it’s environs.
“Let me categorically state that we are more than determined to put an end quickly to these nefarious activities of these hoodlums and enemies of our people; who are hellbent to truncate the peace of our land.
“Let these urchins be rest assured that the State will be too hot for them to operate as we are reevaluating the security architecture for greater surveillance and tactical operation.”
The governor noted that the new security approach would be implemented in collaboration with the traditional institution, community and religious leaders, youth groups as well as other critical stakeholders.
Abiodun, therefore, appealed to the people to provide adequate and useful information to security agents for prompt response to prevent future occurrences.
