Kunle ADELABU
-As Eiye, Axe Boys terrorize Ikorodu, four killed in two days
-Residents react as suspected cultists killed young accountant
Oladipupo Bamitogba, an innocent Chartered Accountant whose unfortunately killing by suspected cultists has caused shock and outrage in Ikorodu
Residents of Ikorodu have being advised to be vigilant while going about their daily activities in the community to avoid falling victim of cultist supremacy war that has refused to abate despite efforts to address the menace.
The caution came on the heels of innocent residents allegedly killed in the battle between two cult groups – Eiye and Axe confraternities.
The killing of a young accountant, Oladipopu Mathew Bamitogba at Adaraloye in Ikorodu caused outrage in the community on Tuesday.
The participants that spoke on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform discourse also condemned the lack of intervention by the leaders and stakeholders in the community since the recent renewal of cult clashes which have claimed many lives and also affected the social and economic lives of the community.
Mr Oluwakemi Hassan, speaking on the issue, called for vigilance.
“Please my people. Let us be watchful and careful anywhere we hangout, especially within Ikorodu… Prayer is the key but we also need to help ourselves..”.
Otunba Babatunde, a traditionalist and senior public servant, while also speaking on the issue, stated:
“The nefarious activities of the bandits are fast depleting the socio-economic lifestyle of my pride heritage, Ikorodu… So so unfortunate!!!!”.
Mr Abbey Balogun, a public commentator, in his own contribution, stated:
“Any time I read about the cold heartedness of these marauders, it touches my heart at a deeper level.
“Everyone of us, including the “honourable” ones amongst, are potential Oladipupo (a young accountant that fell victim of the cultists killings )and the chances are that every aspect of the society will fail us.”
Aro, suspected Eiye guy killed by the rival cult group
He queried how the situation degenerated to this sorry state.
“How did we get here is a rhetoric question we must stop asking, rather it is time we not only ask how to get out but cement a way of out of this pathetic situation we have brought upon ourselves either by our actions or inactions.
“Our fatherland must once again returns to the ideal society we now only regrettably and fondly remember in our heads.”
Mr Tayo Odesanya, a public commentator and the administrator, Frank Forum, another active whatsApp platform relating to Ikorodu, while contributing to the discourse, condemned the lack of intervention from the traditional and governmental institutions.
“Ikorodu, a hitherto epitome of tranquility and serenity, a microcosm of the Southwest, now rivaling the northwest for the wrong reason of insecurity, yet the powers-that-be fold their arms as if relishing the decadence or simply clueless as to how to curb the madness that has engulfed the town in recent times.
“Two innocent lives wasted in their prime in the last five days and this is in isolation of the victims from the warring cult groups at the centre of the debacle, whose count we’ve now lost.
“Yet, no official reaction from any of our various institutions who appear non-existent or unperturbed.”
“How did we get here?” he asked.
The current Guinness Book of World Record holder for Longest Marathon Read Aloud Contest, Mr Bayode Olawunmi, challenged leaders to be responsive to the ugly development.
“I just hope our leaders will wake up to their responsibility quickly.
Mrs Ruka Onabanjo, while also commenting, stated:
“All these gruesome news in Ikorodu are disturbing and I wonder how things went out of hand.
“Evil has eaten deep into the hearts of humans that even those in the high places look away.
“I weep for Ikorodu , the place I used to beat my chest over with pride. Ikorodu is now known for societal mayhem and misfunctions.
“Innocent souls are losing their lives while their families are left in agony and the criminals are walking freely amongst us despite the fact that the security officials know them. I weep for my country, Nigeria. May the Lord keep those of us remaining safe but we have lost sleep over a failed society .”
Toheeb Olayinka, also contributing to the discourse, lamented the killing of the young accountant in his prime.
“A Chartered Accountant wasted just like that! I wonder what my town, Ikorodu, is becoming! Where did we get it wrong? Should we continue to fold our arms and watch promising youths die helplessly? “, he queried.
“This is so sad and pathetically pathetic! When did we come out of Badoo that we have found ourselves in another reckless killings? God will not come down to help us if stakeholders and our representatives do not take drastic measures to nip this rubbish in the bud”, he warned.
Ibrahim Onibudo, an Ikorodu indigene based in Canada, also lamented the state of insecurity in the town and called on the people to hold the leaders accountable.
“On insecurity in Ikorodu, we need to start making our political and traditional leaders accountable. Nothing stops us on this platform to set up another committee to work with these leaders to find a lasting solution to this lack of security.
“The so-called big boys are not only targeting their rivals, the innocent ones are now paying for it.
“Is His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Adegorushen V and Ayangbure of Ikorodu, and his chiefs not doing anything about the insecurity in the community at the moment? Are Hon Jimi Benson, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja and other political leaders doing anything at all? I know their hands are full but this is a matter of life and death. They have to rise to the occasion”, he stated while challenging the royal fathers, elected representatives and others over the insecurity in Ikorodu.
In his own contribution, Lekan Biliamin described the incident as pathetic.
“The ugly incidents are so pathetic. This is a bad omen”.
Yosi, suspected Yahoo guy allegedly killed by suspected Axe cult members
…Again!! Eiye, Axe Boys Terrorize Ikorodu, Four Killed in Two Days
Residents of Ikorodu now go about their social and economic engagements in palpable fears and sleep with their two eyes open due to the ceaseless killings by two rival cult groups in the community.
The renewed hostility started on Monday, May 6, 2019, with the alleged brutal killing of an Eiye member, Aro, by the Axe cult members at Powerline in Eyita.
It was alleged that same Axe cult group killing squad later stormed Isele same day and killed another guy, Yosi (not real name), who we gathered, was a ‘Yahoo’ boy and not a cult member.
Another reliably source within the community who spoke with THE IMPACT narrated the ugly development.
“They started the killing yesterday morning (Monday, May 6). They killed one Eiye member in the morning behind Access Bank, along Powerline in Eyita.
“They later came to Isele at Alowonle house to kill a ‘Yahoo’ boy who was innocent. They guy was not a game boy (another name for the cultists)”, the source said.
Also, the source mentioned names (mostly aliases) of the five suspects that are allegedly involved the two killings.
When contacted, Mr Olalekan Pelumi, a chieftain of the Onyabo Vigilance Group, confirmed the killings by the suspected Axe boys and stated that they are on the trail of the suspects.
“They actually started yesterday (May 6). They killed one guy at Eyita in the morning and another one in the night at Alara in Isele area.
Meanwhile, one Oladipupo Mathew Bamitogba, a Chartered Accountant, was killed on Tuesday, May 7, after he was shot by suspected cultists at Adaraloye area in Ikorodu.
Confirming the incident to THE IMPACT, Pelumi said:
“Today (Monday, May 6), they shot another guy at Adaraloye who was transferred from the General Hospital , Ikorodu, to the one in Gbadaga”.
An Axe cult member, Ibrahim, brutally killed by suspected Eiye cult group at Red Block, Grammar School in Ikorodu
“Several other people sustained bullet wounds during the Adaraloye attack”, he added.
THE IMPACT gathered that the victim died inside the ambulance conveying him to Gbagada when his oxygen ran out when the ambulance was caught in the traffic gridlock.
Although, nobody was able to confirm which of the two groups carried out the Adaraloye attack but it was alleged that it was a reprisal attack by the Eiye cult group.
On same Tuesday, May 7, it was gathered that members of the Eiye cult group stormed D-Moro area of Ikorodu Grammar School, Oke Ota-Ona, Ikorodu, in search of their rival cult group members.
It was alleged that one Ibrahim, a suspected Axe member was brutally killed at Red Block area of Grammar School, Oke Ota-Ona in Ikorodu.
Reacting to the reason why suspects of the renewed hostilities are yet to be apprehended, the Onyabo chieftain stated that the criminals are on the run.
“They told us their names but they are on the run. We are on their trail as well.
“They can never remain in the town after carrying out such a dastard act, but the ancestors of the land will push them to us”, he assured.
So far, THE IMPACT gathered that two suspects each from both rivalry cult groups have been arrested by the Onyabo vigilance group and handed over to the police.
All efforts by our reporter to reach late Oladipupo’s family proved abortive.
Meanwhile, residents of Ikorodu division have called on both the local and state governments as well as the traditional institutions and the community security outfits to live up to there responsibilities by curtailing the excesses of these hoodlums so that they can go about their daily activities without any fear or danger.
