Rival Cult Groups Clash In Sagamu, Over 20 Feared Dead

A violent clash between rival cult groups in Sagamu, the capital of Sagamu Local Government Area in Ogun State, has claimed the lives of at least 20 young men.

It was gathered that the suspected cultists, said to be members of the Eiye and Aiye confraternities, resumed their supremacy battle on Saturday, September 16, 2023, and since then over 20 persons including secondary school students and innocent bystanders have been killed.

Disturbing videos and photos circulating on social media depict the aftermath of these attacks, revealing several victims lying in pools of their own blood. Among the harrowing scenes, one victim’s hands were severed by their assailants.

The escalating violence has transformed areas like Sabo, Makun, GRA, Ijagba, and Ajaka in Sagamu into volatile hotspots, where residents have been living in fear as the violence escalates.

An SS3 student met a tragic end at a local barbershop in the Sabo area while one Sunny Pa, an alleged 50-year-old gospel musician, lost his life in the crossfire.

Another victim, Elemere, a renowned drummer who was closely associated with a well-known local Fuji musician in Sagamu, met a gruesome fate on Sunday. Elemere, along with two other women, was brutally murdered at a local bar.

In response to the cult-related killings, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, stated that the situation in Sagamu is more complex than merely deploying an anti-cultism squad.

“Sagamu case goes beyond the mere anti-cultism squad. The elders know how to handle them. The politicians know what to do. I was in their midst in Sagamu between 2006 and 2008. But no single cult clash before I left in 2008. I worked then with the late Akarigbo, Oba Michael Sonariwo and others,” he stated on his X handle.

The Force PRO added that the Ogun State Commissioner of Police should take action based on the report by some residents that the cultists are well known to security agents.

“I will engage the CP on this. Whoever is dealing with cultists and criminals must not compromise. That person must stand firm and operate against all odds. Most of those who cause this wahala (problem) in Sagamu are not even Sagamites. At times, they come from Ijebu Ode or Ago Iwoye to strike and move

“In some cases, they come as far as Edo State. It’s a problem that the whole system must tackle, not only the security forces. It requires multi-track diplomacy
“We will discuss this with the CP and take the necessary steps. In Sagamu, almost every young one is a cultist. Okada riders, artisans, etc. are into cultism even more than students, and I think the whole town and Remoland, in general, should take action on it.

“I think the community should rise up to it. They should have an urgent meeting with the heads of all the quarters in Sagamu with the police and vigilante to address this matter. Sagamites know and understand what I am saying here. I worked in Sagamu for almost 2 years.”