Two Died, One Injured As Rival Cult Groups Clash In Lagos Community
Akin Olayemi
Two persons were killed while another severely injured in a clash between two rival cult groups in Ebute Metta community of Lagos Mainland Local Government of the state.
The violent clash which was between Kogbagidi boys led by Adekoya James alias wewe anointing and Olokodana boys led by Kabiru Gobiri, according to an eyewitness started in the early hours of Sunday and disrupted commercial activities as residents scampered to safety.
A resident, Tayo Adeniyi, told newsexplorersng.com, that the clash was one of battle for supremacy between the leaders of Kogbagidi and Olokodana boys.
He stated that efforts by mediators to reconcile feuding parties was futile as they continue to kill themselves at the slightest provocation.
He said, “The feud between the rival cult group is an agelong dispute. Just last year, a leader of Eiye confraternity, Jackson Umoh killed a resident in the community, Yussuf.
Umoh is a notorious cultist. He has a gun which he has been terrorising the community with.
So far, many death have been recording and still counting. It all started around 2011 when the leader of Olokodana boys and a chieftain of the NURTW, Waheed Skippo was shot dead on the eve of Christmas. In a reprisal attack, Seyi Rugged who was the leader of Kogbagidi boys was hacked to death.
Since the death of the two leaders, Ebute Metta has know no peace. It has been a case of cultists’ attack after another.
Neither the council chairperson nor politicians from the district are able to douse the tension occasion by the recurring attack.
Residents live in fear of attack and sleeplessness while the cultists continue to enjoy patronage from politicians who use them as tools for destruction during elections.
This current clash which started about two weeks ago led to the death of two persons, one from each of the warring group. A member of Kogbagidi boys killed was identified as Iya Uche while Olokodana boys lost a member named Abiodun in the violent clash.
I am appealing to Hon. Rashidat Essien, the council chairperson, to take a bold step to ending this recurring clashes. They know these people and I am sure they know how to tame them if they so desire.
The community ruler of Otumara, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye should also wade into the dispute. So far, we recognise his efforts at bringing about peace in Otumara community but with the turnout of events in the last few days, there is an urgent need to do more as cultism and gangsterism is threatening the peace of residents in the community.”
Recounting how the clash started, an eyewitness who simply identified herself as Iya Shola said, “They were returning from a Street Jamz organized by the Eyes Open Gents. I don’t know what led to the argument that erupted between them at the Iya Agan junction and that was all. The next thing I heard was a free-for-all fight which broke out between the two rival gangs.
Some members of Olokodana boys including AZ, Samara Lateef, Sunkanmi, and Hummer attacked Yoyo, Sego, Deji, Stainless and Ojo of Kogbagidi boys and they ended up killing one person each from their gangs.
Iya Uche was stabbed to death by the Olokodana boys while in a reprisal attack Kogbagidi boys shot Abiodun. He died instantly.
Another person who sustained injury was rushed to the hospital and I heard he is responding to treatment.”
When contacted, traditional ruler of Otumara community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye said the clash and the loss of lives were regretted, while describing the clash as avoidable.
While reiterating his calls on the Lagos State government not to handle cultism in his community with kid gloves, he said, “As a ruler, I have engaged with the police on how to attain peace in our community but rather than join forces with me to combat this societal ills, some antagonists and opportunists decide to trade the peace of the community for their selfish needs.
I could recall when I granted a press interview with a national newspaper last year June 26 where I cried out to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu to safe us from cultists and hoodlums, my good intention was misrepresented and labeled as ill-motivated but what do we have today? Loss of lives and threat to peace and economic activities in the community.
This is not about someone taking the glory or outshining others, it’s all about selfless service to our community. Crime and cultism free community is achievable only if all hands are on deck to address the societal ills.
I am appealing to the government, particularly, the Lagos State police command and the head of Lagos Anti-Cultism squad, CSP Fatai Adigun, to intervene and ensure that the wings of perpetrators are clipped and they are brought to justice.
The cultists disturbing the peace of the community reaide within the community. They are not ghost. We know their parents. We require the anti-cult squad to pay special attention to our need and rescue is from the destruction of cultusts.
Residents in Otumara deserve best of everything including peaceful environment and this can only be achieved when our community is free of cultists and gangerism.”
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