The Owo Concerned Group in Ondo State has attributed the rising cult clashes in the Owo area to political sponsorship and parental neglect.
Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting held over the weekend, the group urged politicians to desist from sponsoring violence and fueling crises in the town.
It will be recalled that recent cult clashes claimed five lives, including a politician, a woman, and her child. In response, the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, imposed a curfew in Owo to curb the violence stemming from supremacy battles among cult groups.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has arraigned eight suspects before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court in connection with the killings. The suspects include Ogunseyila Oladimeji (28), Olabode Ojo, alias “Popo” (30), Adeola Bero (30), Olayemi Ayodele (20), Ijalade Femi, Ijarotimi Taye (42), and two sisters, Bisi Gbenga (25) and Esther Gbenga (20). They face a five-count charge of conspiracy, cultism, murder, illegal possession of firearms, and illegal possession of stolen vehicles.
In a communiqué issued after the summit, signed by Comrades Odunayo Folahanmi, Hussein Taye Aliyu, and Damilare Aina, the group identified political patronage and parental failure as major contributors to the violence in Owo.
Political Patronage: The group noted that politicians enabling and supporting cultists have significantly fueled lawlessness in Owo Local Government.
Parental Neglect: A lack of proper parental oversight and responsibility has exacerbated hooliganism and cult-related activities.
Traditional Leadership: The communiqué urged traditional rulers to foster unity and collaboration to safeguard the peace and progress of Owo Kingdom.
The summit proposed several actionable resolutions to address the crisis: Politicians must immediately stop enabling and supporting cultists and criminal elements in Owo Kingdom.
Religious and Spiritual Leaders are encouraged to promote forgiveness and reconciliation as pillars for community development.
Security Measures: Prohibit the use of cross-body bags, identified as mobile armories for cultists.
Ban informal street gatherings, known as “junction-by-junction assemblies,” to curb delinquency.
Youth Engagement: Consolidate existing youth groups into a unified body to represent the youth constituency in Owo Kingdom.
Parental Responsibility: Parents must proactively monitor and guide their wards, emphasizing the dangers of cultism and criminality.
Biannual Security Engagements: Institutionalize stakeholders’ security summits as a regular event to assess and improve the security situation in Owo.
Community Recognition: Establish mechanisms to celebrate individuals who bring honor and prestige to Owo Kingdom.
Anti-Cultism Awareness:
Organize a public walk advocating zero tolerance for cultism, gangsterism, and other social vices.
The summit also called on the police to desist from unwarranted arrests and extortion of innocent residents.
The stakeholders emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in addressing Owo’s security challenges. The communiqué stated:
“The resolutions articulated herein aim to galvanize all stakeholders towards restoring peace, security, and socio-economic progress in Owo Local Government.”
The summit was attended by: Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olaide Adelami, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kolawole.
Traditional rulers from communities within Owo Local Government.
Spiritual and religious leaders, youth leaders, student union representatives, trade association leaders, and members of the general public.
The group expressed optimism that the resolutions would chart a sustainable path to ending the menace and fostering a harmonious, secure, and prosperous Owo Kingdom.
