Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke has directed security agencies to launch special operations to arrest and prosecute cultists engaging in rivalry war across Ijeshaland.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke has directed security agencies to launch special operations to arrest and prosecute cultists engaging in rivalry war across Ijeshaland.
Reacting to spate of violence and attacks in parts of the Eastern senatorial district, Governor Adeleke described the development as “shocking and reprehensible”, calling on the police service and other security agencies to act decisively to stop the cult clashes.
Lamenting the loss of lives of innocent residents, the Governor directed that the special operations should include intelligence gathering to arrest masterminds of the attacks, warning that “all perpetrators will face harsh reality of the law.
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“I have been duly briefed on the developments in some parts of Ijeshaland. We will no longer tolerate actions capable of disrupting the peaceful atmosphere in the state. We will not allow any group or individuals to use their internal wars to endanger public peace.
” This is a matter that threatens law and order. We must enforce the law and ensure peace without delay. This is one violence too many.
” I have directed the Commissioner of Police and other service chiefs to swing into action without delay. Violence and attacks must stop and perpetrators must be brought to book as urgently as possible”, the Governor instructed, according to a release by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
There have been incidences of cult activities in parts of the state lately. On Sunday, two men were reportedly shot dead around Imo Area of Ilesa of the State by suspected cultists believed to be members of a rival cult group.
The incident, according to the Punch reports, threw the community into panic, as residents close to the scene when the incident happened scampered for safety to avoid being hit by bullets.
The medium quoted a resident of Imo, who was near Imo Junction, the scene of the incident, as alleging that the victims were popularly referred to as Machine and Skay.
Giving further details of how they were killed, the resident, who preferred anonymity, further said, “At Imo Junction, Ilesa on Sunday, two guys suspected to be cult members, identified as Machine and Skay, were shot dead in front of a beer parlour.
“The reason behind the killing of these two persons is not known to us yet, but we are all scared that friends of those killed may retaliate today or any moment. The situation is still tense around here. Those that killed them are suspected to be members of a rival cult group.”
Another resident, Kolawole, said after the perpetrators of the attack had left the scene, a security van arrived in the area and evacuated the remains of the deceased.