In one of the featured stories on The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), it is observed that residents of Sagamu in Ogun East now live in ‘Perpetual Fear’ Amid Cult Clashes.
In Sagamu, Ogun State, violent conflicts between rival cult groups have raised serious concerns among residents. More than 20 lives were lost in a recent three-day clash, and these clashes have been ongoing for some time.
A resident revealed that previous clashes occurred after the 2023 general election, resulting in about 10 deaths. These conflicts have evolved from being between rival student cult groups to bloody disputes involving local residents who belong to dangerous fraternities.
Many young men in Sagamu now belong to various cult groups, primarily the Eiye confraternity and Black Axe, often rooted in supremacy battles.
Innocent residents often become victims of these clashes due to their significant presence in Sagamu. For instance, a schoolboy was killed in the latest clash because he visited a barbershop owned by a cult member. When a rival group couldn’t find the cult member, they killed everyone in the shop, including the schoolboy.
These ongoing conflicts have instilled fear in Sagamu residents, leading them to stay indoors early in the evening to avoid stray bullets or violence. Local businesses have also been affected, impacting residents’ livelihoods.
Some residents feel that traditional leaders in the area are not doing enough to address these violent clashes. They believe that community leaders should take more proactive steps in cooperation with law enforcement to quell the violence. Additionally, there are concerns that internal community politics and negative attitudes towards reintegration efforts hinder progress in resolving the issue.
Efforts by community groups like the Sagamu Progressives Advocacy Forum (SPAF) are sometimes frustrated or sabotaged, and they face challenges in providing support to reform cult members. The chairman of SPAF emphasizes the need for strong support from traditional rulers to tackle the issue effectively.
Residents are calling for cult members to be charged with murder rather than just cultism, as their actions often lead to the death of innocent people. They believe that treating them as murderers would result in longer prison sentences and potentially help reform their behavior.
The situation in Sagamu remains a cause for concern, with residents living in fear and seeking effective solutions to end the violence.
