Ogun residents run (away from) communities as cultists mark (yearly recognition or celebration)

Residents of Fakale, Igode and Emuren communities, in the Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State have started running (away from) their homes.
OLOKUNBOLA BLESSING  learned that the residents were afraid over the reports that suspected (group of people with very strong beliefs) members of the Eiye Confraternity planned to free/release violence during their (yearly recognition or celebration) on Monday (today).

It was gathered that some residents of Odo Kekere, Odo Nla and Itapara within the LGA had also started leaving/canceling their homes, saying the cultists had promised to cause mass murder/huge loss of money or employees to mark the August 8 (yearly recognition or celebration).

Our reporter had reported that some communities in Ogun State were under attack on July 7, when some suspected Yes Confraternity members killed 11 people, while marking the 7/7 (yearly recognition or celebration).

PUNCH Metro also reported that some other (group of people with very strong beliefs) members stormed the Ogijo area last Wednesday and killed four residents.

The head of Igode community, Chief Rafiu Idisu, told our reporter on Sunday that no fewer than 70 residents had packed out for fear of being attacked in the coming August 8 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 strongly encouraged 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 surrounding area that Eiye (group of people with very strong beliefs) members will attack people to mark their (yearly recognition or celebration) on Monday.

"People have started leaving ssince then, especially those who live on new places/locations. About 70 residents have ran away/escaped and residents in other communities such as Fakale, Itapara and Odo Kekere, are doing same.

"I have informed the (group of people who advise or govern) 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 7."

The Secretary, Oodua People's Congress, Fakale, Idris Lawal, said his members were aware of the development and had mounted (secretly recording/watching people) at (related to a plan to reach a goal) points in the community to foil any attack.

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

The (group of people who advise or govern) chairman, Awoniyi, said security (services businesses/government units) had been informed to delay any failure (or break) of the peace in the areas.

He said, "We have warned all the necessary security (services businesses/government units) to the threat. As the chief security officer of the (group of people who advise or govern), necessary steps have been taken to delay 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 sent out and used in different parts of the state to check (group of people with very strong beliefs) 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 person (who steals things), (capture someone by the use of force)per or murderer. The CP has ordered all the Divisional Police Officers to be on their toes.

"Our Special Intelligence Bureau officers are at different parts of the state to nip in the bud any mob attack. People should not fear (teasing and threatening over and over again in a mean way) from anywhere. They should go about their business in an (usual/ commonly and regular/ healthy) way; we are on top of the situation. Nothing is going to happen in those communities because policemen are on the ground."