Kunle ADELABU & Wale JAGUN
-Residents call on Council, Traditional institution, political leaders, Police to act decisively
-Ayangbure has never relented – P.A
Members of the local vigilance group, Onyabo gathered at their office after patrol this evening. The office was attacked early today by suspected cultists
There seems to be no end in sight for the cult/gang war in Ikorodu despite the directive of the Lagos
State House of Assembly to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to rein in the hoodlums whosecriminal activities have thrown the entire town into palpable fears.
The 8th Assembly, following a motion by Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the representative of Ikorodu Constituency I, on June 3, urged the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Zubairu Muazu, to curtail the activities of cult members in Ikorodu.
However, despite this directive, about four people were killed between Thursday night (yesterday) and early hours of Friday (today), at Anibaba and Ajina areas of Ikorodu.
The hoodlums also attacked the Onyabo office along Ireshe, shooting sporadically.
It was also gathered that members of the outlawed groups took to the streets across the town in search of rival cult members while they also reportedly destroyed properties in the process .
In what residents described as reprisal killings, a member of the Axe confraternity was said to have been killed at Anibaba, a known den of Eiye cult group late Thursday while his partner was reported to have been lucky to have escaped with gun wounds.
This we gathered led to the killing of one Ayo and wife at Ejina early in the morning on Friday.
It was also gathered that there were other killings occasioned by the renewed supremacy fight.
Residents confirmed sporadic gun shots in many areas in the town last night and early this morning.
A chieftain of the Onyabo Vigilance group , Mr Olalekan Pelumi, confirmed the killings and told our reporter in a phone conversation that members of the vigilance group are now united against the cult groups.
“We have received many calls this morning and our men have been mobilized into action. We now have a group under a command”, he assured.
“Our men are now parading the nooks and crannies of the town to protect lives and properties of residents as directed by His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu.
“Onyabo is now more than before formidable, united and prepared to combat these notorious elements that are disturbing Ikorodu.
Meanwhile, a cross section of Ikorodu residents has been speaking on the unrest in the town, calling on the traditional, political and the police to arrest the situation before it consume the entire town.
Femi Adinlewa, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikorodu, called on the local government chairman in Ikorodu to rise up and protect the lives and properties of the residents he sworn to protect.
“The local government should be responsible for the protection of lives and properties but they have failed in this community.
Hammed Ganiu, while calling on the traditional institutions and political leaders to intervene in the situation, lamented that “this is getting too much”.
Other residents called for collective effort in handling the matter.
Mr Ola-Oluwa Godwin and others, in their respective submissions, called for collective efforts in handling the mater effectively.
“It’s a responsibility of everybody and not that of the leaders alone. We should all play our part by supporting the security agencies.
Tosin Mabunmi stated that , “We have to collectively pull Ikorodu out of this danger.
Mr Eromona, in his reaction, also called on everybody to get involved rather than passing blames.
“It’s always a norm in Nigeria that during a period of challenge, people usually freely turn back and find someone to blame for things they can actually remedy.
Shode Adenrele, in his own contribution, suggested that the menace should be tackled fundamentally.
“Let’ s tackle the issue from the root….
“Our youths are restless, idle and not positively engaged. Their future looks bleak and gloomy. There is tension everywhere, so tell me why there won’t be killings and other social vices…?
“The discussion now should be charting a way forward. How do they get this ammunition? Who are their godfathers/mothers? Let’s identify them and let justice prevail for anyone culpable no matter his/her social standing” .
Michael Oresajo, a security officer, simply blamed politicians for funding bases where hoodlums gathered.
Tayo Odesanya condemned the failure of leaders in Ikorodu and police authority to implement several proposals on the ways out of the problem and acting decisively.
Mr Abagun blamed the internal crisis within the Onyabo Vigilance group for the degeneration of the crisis.
“I think that it was the internal rumbles within the Onyabo security outfit that allowed the issue to linger this far.
He, thereafter, praised members of the vigilance team for resolving their differences and renewing their commitments.
Demola Adeyeri, the Personal Assistant to Oba Kabir Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in his reaction to the current security situation in Ikorodu on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform, stated that the monarch is on top of the matter.
“Ayangbure palace is seriously on the matter. Never have stopped , never have relented.
“Strong steps are being taken and we assure you all of visible results to compliment other efforts very soon. Thanks for your concern”, he stated.
Our reporter, who went round the town in the early hours of the day, saw members of the Onyabo security outfit, police and Neighbourhood Watch taking strategic positions across the town in a bid to restore normalcy.
Several arrest were also said to have been made during the operations.
