The Ibassa/Ijegun-Egba Youth Association in Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos on Sunday decried the high rate of cultism in the area.

Mr Kareem Idowu, the Chairman of the Association, said in a statement that currently, residents found it difficult to sleep in their houses or walk around the community freely without fear of being attacked.

The chairman said that there had been serious unrest because of the deadly cultists’ activities in the community.

“Residents and indigenes of our community are finding it difficult to walk freely; the merchants cannot go about their businesses without fear.

“The children can no longer go to school and all the activities of the community have been placed on hold due to the criminal activities of these notorious cult members that have taken over our peaceful community.

“Their notorious actions does not only affect the community mentally, but it has also affected our community psychologically and economically,” Idowu said.

He said that the problem started as a battle between rival cults, but later turned into other things, such as daylight robbery, extortion, attempted rape of the young girls in the community.

“They now brutalise and intimidate innocent members of the community with guns, cutlass, axes, and other dangerous weapons.

“These cult members are not indigenes, nor do they originate from our community.

“It’s crystal clear that evil minds are being sponsored by some undesirable elements within the town and using the current situation to achieve their dastardly mission in the community,” the chairman said.

Mr Wakili Jaiyeolu, the General Secretary of the association, was quoted as saying the town was deeply rooted in Yoruba culture, where members co-exist in peace and harmony.

“But as we speak now, the reverse is the case. Cultists have taken over the community’s sanity.

“They are fully armed and connected. They are quick in getting security reports and other information, therefore, making community members scared of divulging their criminal activities.

“These notorious cults are based in some specific areas of the community, notably Zone II (Origerigan), New Site, Oladele Street, Liadi Street, Rasaq Odunewu Street, Akintanmide Street, Muse Anidu Street.

“Other areas are Alhaji Mutiu Street, Alebiosu Street, Adeoshodi Street, Maiyegun Street and some other strategic parts of Ijegun-Egba community.

“The prevailing continuous criminal activities in the community have left us with no option other than to flee the community in search of safety and our wellbeing,” Jaiyeolu said.

He urged the Lagos State Government, the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant agencies to come to their rescue before the situation got completely out of hand.

“On behalf of the entire Ibassa Ijegun-Egba community, we are appealing to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, to come to our aid.

“We are law-abiding citizens and we will give total support to the Nigeria Police to eradicate cultism, as we are the victims of these continuous incidents.

“We will use every legal means to reinstate peace back in the community, because we believe in upholding the principles of equity and good conscience within the society.

“We also desire to foster an environment where every member of the community can live in peace and harmony,” Jaiyeolu added. (Guardian)

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