Many young men killed in cult clashes in Sagamu, southwest Nigeria
About 20 young men have been reportedly killed by cultists in Sagamu, the headquarters of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria.
Clashes between cultists of the Eiye and Aiye confraternities resurged on Saturday, leading to the killing of young men, including secondary school pupils.
Some of the victims of the attacks were shown lying in pools of blood in graphic videos and images published online by residents, with one of their hands severed by their assailants.
Muyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, has reacted to the unfortunate incident.
Adejobi, using his X handle, stated that the situation in Sagamu requires more than just the deployment of an anti-cult unit, stressing that everything must be done to end the carnage.
“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,” he said.
The Force PRO pledged to carry along the Commissioner of Police while hoping that the unit involved in the fight against cultism come out hard against the gangs.
“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 gp to address this matter. Sagamites know and understand what I am saying here. I worked in sagamu for almost 2 years.”
