The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Eiye Confraternity

  • Cult war: Aye killed 12 of our members – suspects 

    Cult war: Aye killed 12 of our members – suspects 

    …As police parade killer squad

     

    Three suspected members of Eiye confraternity Wednesday blamed the Black Axe (Aye) group for the death of 12 of their members at Seriki Village in Ogun State.

    A Beninnois, Moses Anthony 20, Kabiru Ajao 28 and Samson Adagu 25, were paraded by the spokesperson for the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone II, Onikan, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP).

    According to Badmos, the suspects were responsible for numerous murders in the area including that of the leader of Aye, Lanre Welder.

    She said three guns were recovered from the “killer squad.”

    Badmos said: “The Zonal Intervention Squad received information that some cultists were always disturbing the peace of Seriki village. They stormed the community arrested three suspects, while others escaped. A search of their houses led to the discovery of ammunition and guns.

    “The suspects confessed to have been involved in killings and counter killings. AIG Adamu Ibrahim has directed that investigations be thorough and suspects charge to court. They’ll be charged for murder and cultism.”

    But the suspects, who admitted to have killed only Welder, said they did it to retaliate the murder of their members including a 400level Animal and Health Studies student at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Olakunle Adekunle alias Carlous said to be their leader.

    They claimed that two traction al rulers were sponsoring the cult wars, alleging that one of the monarchs hired Aye members to rid his community of Eiye boys.

    Callous was stoned to death by suspected members of Aye. His head was said to have been smashed.

    Although the fight between the rival cults groups have been on for many years, Adagu said things got worst with the death of leaders of both groups.

    Ajao said: “I didn’t go with the gang on the day Lanre Welder was killed. He was killed this month but Callous was murdered last month. I don’t know why Callous was killed but the killers are working for a certain monarch.”

    Adagu, an artisan said: “It was Aiye members that killed Carlous. When his friends on campus heard about his death, they came to Seriki village and joined forces with Eiye members there. They carried out a reprisal and shot Lanre Welder, a member of Aiye, to death. Aiye members are seriously waging war against Eiye members. They have killed more than 12 of our members.”

    Anthony, a bricklayer, denied killing anyone, adding that Callous was his brother. He claimed he was in his house when policemen came and arrested him.

    He said: “I came to Nigeria in 2010 to work as a bricklayer. A friend initiated me into Eiye. I have never killed anyone. My brother, Callous was killed on the road by Aiye members. They ambushed him. Eight of his friends came from school to avenge his death. They killed Lanre Welder. All the guns belonged to Callous. He brought them from school.”

  • Residents flee as cultists mark anniversary

    Residents flee as cultists mark anniversary

    Residents of Fakale, Igode and Emuren communities, in the Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State have started fleeing their homes.

    It was learnt that the residents were afraid over the reports that suspected cult members of the Eiye Confraternity planned to unleash mayhem during their anniversary on Monday (today).

    It was gathered that some dwellers of Odo Kekere, Odo Nla and Itapara within the LGA had also vacated their homes, saying the cultists had vowed to cause bloodbath to mark the August 8 anniversary.

    Our correspondent had reported that some communities in Ogun State were under siege on July 7th, when some suspected Aye Confraternity members killed 11 persons, while marking the 7/7 anniversary.

    It was also reported that some other cult members stormed the Ogijo area last Wednesday and killed four residents.

    The head of Igode community, Chief Rafiu Idisu, told our correspondent on Sunday that no fewer than 70 residents had packed out for fear of being attacked in the coming August 8th celebration, which the cultists tagged, ‘8/8.’

    Idisu said he had drawn the attention of the Chairman, Sagamu LGA, Mr. Lola Awoniyi, to the tension in the community and urged the police to nip the pending attack in the bud.

    He said, “For the past three days now, there has been information across the community and its environs that Eiye cult members will attack people to mark their anniversary on Monday.

    “People have started leaving ssince then, especially those who live on new sites. About 70 residents have fled and residents in other communities such as Fakale, Itapara and Odo Kekere, are doing same.

    “I have informed the council chairman and he promised to do something about it. We want the police to position patrol vehicles around the communities to protect us because we have no place to run to. We don’t want a repeat of what happened on July 7th 2016.”

    The Secretary, Oodua People’s Congress, Fakale, Idris Lawal, said his members were aware of the development and had mounted surveillance at strategic points in the community to foil any attack.

    “We are fully prepared for them. We have assured our people to be calm, but those who are afraid have left. Policemen are also on patrol,” he added.

    The council chairman, Awoniyi, said security agencies had been informed to forestall any breach of the peace in the areas.

    He said, “We have alerted all the necessary security agencies to the threat. As the chief security officer of the council, necessary steps have been taken to forestall any attack. So, security wise, the communities are safe.”

    The acting Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, ASP Ambibola Oyeyemi, said policemen had been deployed in different parts of the state to check cult activities.

    He said, “The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Iliyasu, has made it clear that whoever parades himself as a cultist will be treated like an armed robber, kidnapper or murderer. The CP has ordered all the Divisional Police Officers to be on their toes.

    “Our Special Intelligence Bureau officers are at various parts of the state to nip in the bud any mob attack. People should not fear harassment from anywhere. They should go about their business in a normal way; we are on top of the situation. Nothing is going to happen in those communities because policemen are on the ground.”