Ondo govt expresses worry over cult clashes in Owo

Ondo State government has expressed worry over the increasing number of cult-related clashes and number of casualties recorded in the last few days in the ancient town of Owo.

Speaking on the development, during a one-day security summit organised by Owo Youth Forum, (OYF) the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, regretted the avoidable loss of innocent lives and wanton destruction of properties by the hoodlums.

Adelami represented by his Chief of Staff, Kola Falohun, said the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed security agencies in the state to rid Owo and the state as a whole of the menace of cultists and cult-related activities in the state.

He said “Solutions have been suggested and we believe that by the time a larger stakeholders’ meeting is organised by the office of the Deputy Governor, we will make a headway, these senseless killings must be stopped.

“As a responsible and responsive government, we are very sad with the resurgence of activities of criminal elements, raising unnecessary tension in the ancient town and its environs.

“Let me categorically state that we are more than determined to put an end quickly to the nefarious activities of these hoodlums and enemies of our people; who are hell-bent on truncating the peace of our land”

Some of the stakeholders from Owo community however, heaped the major blame for the recurring cultist activities and the killing spree by in the ancient town on politicians.

The stakeholders noted that cultism and its activities in the town persisted because politicians have continued to use members of the groups to execute political activities.

Speaking during the summit, a member of OYF, Damilare Aina, said politicians encouraged idle youths for their political aspirations, nothing that politicians arm and use them, dump them and go for them again whenever the need arises.

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According to him, cultism which transcends Nigeria’s tertiary institutions is now more of street gangsterism and has become regular feature in most towns and cities in Nigeria.

He explained that OYF organised the summit to bring up ideas that would eradicate address the challenges and restore peace to the ancient town.

He identified continuous engagement of all stakeholders in educating the youths and ensuring sustaining peace in the area.

Also speaking, Odunayo Folahanmi, said that it could be established that politicians empowered youths with dangerous items working for them as political thugs.

“It is evident that politicians are the ones engaging the cultists. We invited them as well as others but many of the political leaders are not here except the deputy governor, represented by the Chief of Staff.

“We are privy to information that security operatives often release these cultists to politicians who often secure their freedom”

He commended Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, and other traditional rulers for the steps taken so far to curb cultist activities in the ancient town.

The Police Area Commander in Owo, Adenike Peter, who solicited for the support of the public in curbing cultism urged politicians and influential people to stop interfering in police procedure when suspects were being arrested.

“ Many a time, when we arrest these miscreants, politicians will start calling, seeking the release of these cultists and this has been a major problem to.

“Also, parents should checkmate their children and even report them to the police for action if found culpable in criminal tendencies.

“Members of public should also give us useful information because we are not ghost. We will work on the information given to us. These people live in our midst,” he said.

The OYF however, at the end of the summit collectively agreed in a communique signed by Odunayo Folahanmi, stated that:” Politicians must desist forthwith from enabling and patronizing cultists and other criminal elements in Owo Kingdom.

“Religious and spiritual leaders are enjoined to propagate the virtues of forgiveness and reconciliation as essential pillars for community development.

“Security agencies are urged to prohibit the use of cross-body bags, which have been identified as mobile armories for cultists and criminal elements.

“Informal street gatherings, colloquially referred to as “junction-by-junction assemblies,” should be proscribed forthwith by security agencies to curtail the breeding grounds of delinquency.

“Existing youth groups and associations within Owo Local Government should consolidate into a unified and robust youth body that would serve as the legitimate voice and representative of the youth constituency in Owo Kingdom.

“Parents must adopt proactive measures to monitor and guide their wards, inculcating in them the perils of cultism and criminality.

“Stakeholders’ Security Engagements should be institutionalized as a biannual event to assess and review the security landscape within Owo Local Government.

“The community is encouraged to institute mechanisms for recognizing and celebrating illustrious sons and daughters who bring honour and prestige to Owo Kingdom. The police authorities must desist from unwarranted arrest and extortion of innocent residents of owo kingdom.”

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