Wale Jagun
Cross section of Ikorodu residents have charged the Lagos State Government and Council Authorities to respond practically to the state of insecurity in Ikorodu caused by cult activities which have constantly been disturbing the social and economic lives of residents of the community.
The concerned residents called on Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu to intervene in the threat that cultism posed to lives and properties before the whole town is consumed.
They also charged elected representatives, council chairmen and traditional institutions to also discharge their responsibilities to the people accordingly by ensuring that the state government intervenes in the matter as expected.
Banwo Alade Azeez, the Councilor representing Ward D, described the spate of killings by the cultists in lkorodu as destruction of the future of Ikorodu through cultism.
He appealed to the Governor of Lagos State and elected representatives in Ikorodu to ensure that cult activities are dealt with decisively.
“What is happening in Ikorodu and its environs is like killing the future through cultism. How can we avert “killing the future?”, he asked.
“The killers are between the ages of 16 and 26yrs. They kill perhaps all in the name of vengeance.
“The authorities and security operatives are trying, but more needed to be done.
“All hands must be on deck to get peaceful results. I think we need full state intervention on this matter. Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Rep Babajimi Benson, Chairman House Committee on Defense, Hon. S.O.B. Agunbiade, the Majority Leader Lagos State House of Assembly and Hon. Solaja, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, must intervene.
“So also are all our kings in the Ikorodu division and the executive Council Chairmen.
“We’ve got capable hands as representatives at the helm of affairs locally as well as at the state and federal levels.
“Please, we need more of your proactiveness in saving our land”, he pleaded.
“Stop the killings! We’ve got no other place”.
Awomodu Lookman, also commenting on the cult mayhem which has led to many dead in different parts of Ikorodu in the last six days, called for military intervention in collaboration with the Onyabo local vigilance group.
“I think it’s time for those in position of authority to help us out, most especially our own JB (Hon. Babajimi Benson).Also, the Army need to come and do a thorough job within Ikorodu,if they can work with Onyabo….”, he said on his social media page.
Rashidi Kehinde Onabajo, a social media activist, also hinged solutions to the cultism menace on the readiness of leadership to act.
”All these people are our friends, family members. The issue of cultists can be checked if our community leaders are sincere. It’s insincerity on the part of our leadership, including some of our traditional rulers and chiefs that is worsening the situation. Nobody should blame the Police for not being active enough to control the situation”, he said.
Meanwhile, youths in Ikorodu have also launched campaign against cultism on social media platforms with #SayNoToCultism, appealing to youths to desist from engaging in cult activities.
They also charged parents to take responsibilities for the actions of their children and wards.
Yinka Majekodunmi, a former House of Assembly aspirant, lamented the effects of cultism on the social and economic lives of Ikorodu.
“Ikorodu, the home of sociable and industrious people. This is what we inherited from our forefathers. How did we get here?”, he asked.
A young entrepreneur and politician, Hamzat Jimoh, while charging parents to train their children properly, also enjoined youths to allow for a violent – free environment to bring about economic development.
“Every parent must take responsibility to train their child/children in the way the community will love. A true son/daughter never destroys his/her community”, he said.
“Dear Youths, no economy develops in an atmosphere of crisis. If you want jobs and development, then you must shun cultism and chaos. #SayNoToCultism”.
Tayo Odesanya, a political scientist and public analyst also wrote on his social media platforms:
“The debacle has unsettled our present social architecture, & unfortunately inflicted some handicap on our future prospects.
“We should eschew darkness & embrace constructivism. Toast to *PEACE”
Samsom Bisiriyu, the Executive Director of the Ikorodu Division Youth Initiative, also condemned violence which negates industriousness which he said Ikorodu is known for.
“Ikorodu Division is known as industrious people and peaceful Community, not for violence and cultism.
“l am proudly Ikorodu Division Youth, I say no to cultism and violence”.
Sulaimon Mojeed Sanni, a blogger and social media activist, also charged youths to desist from cultism which he said limits their potential.
“To join a cult group is to live a life of perpetual fear. Cultism restricts your movement and limits your opportunities. Shun cultism, it destroys. Be Safe”.
Like others, he also added that every parent must take responsibility for their children’s actions.
Lateef ‘Arizona’ Sholanke also contributing to the campaign against cultism in Ikorodu wrote:
“Being peaceful does not mean being a coward, it means having the courage to restrain our negative passions and not follow the game of those who want to cause us harm. #IkoroduForPeace”
