House Of Reps Directs IGP, DSS To Deploy Officers To Ijesaland As Hon Ayeni Raises Alarm Over Incessant Cult Killings

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Federal House of Representatives has directed the Inspector General of Police, Director General of State Security and other security agencies to intervene in the incessant killings, by suspected rival cult groups, in Ilesa and its environs by deploying their officers to the affected area.

The house gave the directive after the lawmaker representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency in the federal House of Representatives, Honourable Babatunde Ayeni raised alarm over the incessant killing by suspected Cultists in his Constituency.

Hon. Ayeni, who represents people of Atakunmosa East/ Atakunmosa West and Ilesa East/West, said what began as a clash between rival cult groups in the area has degenerated into killings of innocent people in the area.

Presenting his case under the ‘matter of urgent public importance’ on Wednesday, at the plenary of the House of Representatives in Abuja, Ayeni said, “Mr Speaker, we have lost count of the number of people that have been killed by suspected cultists.”

He urged the executive arm of government to liaise with security agencies to restore peace to the affected communities as residents can no longer live peacefully.

Honourable said: “Urgent need to end killings of innocent citizens by suspected cultists in Ijeshaland .

He noted that Atakumosa East/Atakumosa West, Ilesha East and Ilesha West Federal Constituency of Osun State has been the most peaceful localities in the South West region of the country;

“Regrettably noted that the inglorious activities of suspected members of the yet to be identified cultist group has over the past three months embarked on merciless murder of unsuspecting residents in the area;

“Observed that on the 7th February, 2022, members of the dreadful cultist group in broad day light killed five persons while those who were hit by stray bullets and sustained various degree of injury were taken to Wesley Hospital located in Ilesha East for medical treatment;

“Concerned that barely two weeks after, specifically 19th February, 2022 which was the day for the All Progressives Congress (APC) party primary, a group of political thugs who drove in a branded vehicle for certain political party, invaded the venue of the party primary and unleashed attacks on the voters and succeeded in killing one person and left without any resistance from the security agencies who were present at the location;

“Aware that there was another massacre carried out on Monday, 21st February 2022 in Irojo area of Ilesha East during which seven persons were killed by the suspected cultists around 7.30pm, barely an hour of a peace meeting by some community leader and the DPOs in the area.

“Residents of the areas can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed at night nor able to go about their lawful businesses during the day-time as a result of these life-threatening incidences;

“These ugly incidences, if not nipped in the board, may cause breakdown of law and order as well as escalate to other parts of the state.” he said

While assuring the Lawmaker of quick Intervention, the house urge the Inspector General of Police, Director General of State Security and other security agencies to intervene by deploying their officers to the affected area in a bid to return normalcy and restore peace and order.

The house also mandated the House Joint Committee on Defence, Police and Army to interface with relevant authorities with a view to safe lives and properties, while the Committee on legislative Compliance was also mandated to ensure compliance.