Residents of Ondo town have blamed local politicians for the recent surge in cult-related violence, killings, and unrest disrupting daily life in the community.
The accusations were made during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, in response to the escalating crisis.
The concerned citizens lamented the frequent cult clashes that have claimed numerous lives, especially of young people, over the past three weeks.
Angry residents alleged that political actors and wealthy individuals were arming youths to advance selfish ambitions, fuelling the bloodshed.
“These politicians are behind the crimes. They arm the youths for their political goals,” one participant declared.
A youth leader, Akintomide Akinkuolie, accused the police of arresting innocent individuals indiscriminately, particularly in motor parks, during clashes, and demanding money before releasing them.
Also speaking, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Chairman, Akintayo Richard, urged the police to seek assistance from lawmakers to procure security tools such as vehicles and motorcycles to combat the crisis effectively.
Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) linked the violence to the unchecked presence of hard drug peddlers in parks, calling for the installation of CCTV cameras in parks, hotels, and strategic locations across the town.
In response, CP Afolabi issued a directive to his officers to aggressively clamp down on cult groups and eradicate drug peddling in identified hotspots, including Ondo East, Ondo West, and Ile-Oluji/Oke Igbo local government areas.
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He assured residents of increased collaboration with other security outfits, hunters, and vigilantes, urging the public to report any suspicious activity to ensure timely intervention.
“We are going back to the drawing board and trying to see how these issues raised can be addressed, most especially the one of cult activities and the activities of people peddling drugs. I can give you this assurance that it will be holistically addressed.”
Ayotunde Akinfolaranmi, Chairman, Ondo West Local Government Area, described the initiative as fantastic, saying it would go a long way in tackling security challenges being currently faced in the local government area.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Akinlaja, appreciated the commissioner for the initiative, saying this would spur all stakeholders to play their own roles in checking crimes in their neighbourhood.