Tension as cultists take over Sagamu town

Tension as cultists take over Sagamu town

The seemingly peaceful town of Sagamu, Ogun State has been rocked by a series of violent cult clashes that have left residents living in fear.

These clashes have reportedly claimed over 30 lives from January to September, and have left a cloud of tension hanging over the town. The recent surge in violence has been attributed to rival cult groups Eiye and Aiye confraternities, whose violent confrontations have thrown the town into a state of terror and unease.

The Government’s Response to the Crisis

In response to the growing tension, Governor Dapo Abiodun had directed the state’s security forces to relocate their operations to the Sagamu area and apprehend those involved in these cult activities.

This directive, issued through his former Chief Press Secretary, came in the wake of a particularly bloody clash that resulted in the loss of eight lives. However, despite these efforts, the violence has persisted.

It has been revealed that politicians and law enforcement agencies may have played an indirect role in escalating the cult violence in Sagamu. An anonymous source alleges that the two major parties, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, armed these cultists during elections.

Thus, when these cultists are arrested, they are often released after a few days, allegedly due to political intervention.

Political Implications: Arrest and Interrogation of Political Figures

The Department of State Service (DSS) recently invited the Chairman of Sagamu local government area, Hon. Afolabi Odulate, and two others for questioning in relation to the recent cult clashes.

The others interrogated were Hon. Adeniran Ademola, a House of Assembly member representing Sagamu 2, and a woman named Ifeoluwa Akinyemi. The three were questioned to assist with further investigations into the violent incidents.

Prior to this, six suspects and a member representing Sagamu State Constituency 1, Hon. Damilare Bello Mohammed, were arrested. Mohammed was apprehended for allegedly providing shelter to fleeing cultists at his official residence, where authorities found numerous dangerous weapons.

The Underlying Causes: Broken Homes, Drug Abuse, and Cybercrime

Oba Gisanrin, the Odofin of Sonyindo, Sagamu, has pointed out that many of these cultists are products of broken homes and are heavily involved in drug and substance abuse.

The prevalence of “yahoo boys”, or individuals involved in cybercrimes, also contributes to the rising wave of cultism in the town. These individuals reportedly join cult groups for protection and security.

Rebuilding Sagamu: A Call for Decisive Action

The recent events in Sagamu have highlighted the urgency for decisive action to curb the escalating violence. It is clear that the current approach has not been effective in stemming the tide of violence.

A more comprehensive approach, tackling not just the surface symptoms but also the underlying social issues, is needed to restore peace and security in Sagamu.