Residents of Osogbo, Osun State capital, have lamented that the rate of cultism and youth restiveness in the ancient city has become very worrisome and causing panic daily.
Some residents of Osogbo including Mr. Peter Ishola, Mrs. Saidat Ibiyemi and Pastor Taiwo Arise, who spoke with Daily Trust Thursday, said cultism has become very rampant in Osogbo and that they were terrorizing residents while many people have been killed by cultists.
Arise said at least four people have been killed by cultists this week and many others sustained injury. “These cultists have guns and they shoot sporadically in broad daylight. They attack and kill people anyhow. It’s too bad.”
For Ishola, the political class should be blamed. He alleged that the youths terrorizing Osogbo are the instrument of some politicians in the state. He said the police and other security agencies were helpless because of the support the thugs receive from politicians.
Ibiyemi also lamented that the manner the thugs victimize residents has become unbearable and called on the state governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, to address the situation.
Daily Trust gathered yesterday that two cult members Akinwale Rotimi and Sogo Owonikoko popularly called “Marley” were killed at Arikamlamu and Obate areas of Osogbo and many others injured.
Meanwhile, more than 30 suspected cultists have been arrested by men of the Osun State Police Command following the bloody clash between the Eiye and Aiye confraternities in Osogbo which led to the death two of them.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the arrest of the suspects.
Another ten suspected members of cult groups were arrested on Monday in a hotel in Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of the state.
The PPRO said “intensive manhunt is ongoing to ensure that members of the cult groups are arrested and brought to book.”
“In view of this, the Command enjoined the general public as partner in Community Policing efforts, to provide us with adequate and useful information at any time when such unlawful gathering/activities is sighted before carrying out their evil activities.
The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Olawale Olokode, has mapped out strategies and is ready to synergize and work with other law enforcement agents, including the local hunters, to nip the ugly trend in the bud.
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