Cult members forcing schoolchildren to join group in Ikorodu -Residents raises alarm

Residents of Imota in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State have raised the alarm over forceful initiation of pupils into cultism in the community.

Some dwellers, especially parents, lamented that it has become tough to raise children in the neighbourhood due to cult activities.

They said children, particularly those in junior secondary school aged between 12 and 15, were soft targets for cultism.

No fewer than five cult members lost their lives recently when two rival gangs – Eiye and Aye confraternities – clashed during annual Oro Festival in the community.

About 19 suspects were arrested by the police while several others, including a notorious ringleader popularly known as Spirit, are on the run.

The recent deadly clash was a resurgence of perennial cult fights in the community which was curtailed in November 2017 when almost 120 cult members allegedly renounced their membership.

Punch correspondent, who covered the event, had reported how some youths smoked a substance suspected to be Indian hemp to celebrate the renunciation presided over by the then Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi.

Although peace had returned when this reporter visited the community on Tuesday, residents, most of who spoke on condition of anonymity for safety reason, expressed worries over initiation of schoolchildren into cultism.

A parent, who gave his name only as Samuel, told City Round that his 12-year-old son could have been initiated some months ago, but for his drastic actions.

Samuel, who narrated the recent deadly clash, stated that he had intensified the supervision of his son’s movements.(Punch)