Traditional ruler vows to flush out cultists, end killings in Badagry

Oba Olalekan James, the Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, Badagry, Lagos State, has vowed to make cultism a thing of the past in his kingdom.

The royal father made the promise at a stakeholders meeting held in his palace in the Kwame Kingdom, Badagry-West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, on Tuesday. According to the traditional ruler, activities of cult members have taken a dangerous turn and all hands must be on deck to stop them from perpetrating their evil acts.“Every cultist is a potential armed robber or hired assassin; henceforth, any cult activities perpetrated within the kingdom will not be treated with kid gloves, no matter whose ox is gored.

“I have also been accused of being a cult member. I am telling you here today that cultism will no longer be condoned anywhere in this kingdom,” he said. The royal father expressed concern about the level of atrocities committed in Pengbo and Oglogbo communities, where youths were buying and selling all sorts of drugs and harmful drinks.

The Ahola of Kwame Kingdom said that plans were on to flush out bag eggs and criminal elements from the area.“Human life is sacred and shouldn’t be wasted.“All those involved in the recent incidents and had taken to their heels should not bother to return because the long hand of the law is waiting for them,” he warned.

The royal father charged all ethnic group leaders in the kingdom to wake up to their responsibilities of enlightening and monitoring their subjects.“We already have enough challenges confronting us as a nation, there’s no gain adding to these problems,” he said. The traditional ruler urged residents to report any illegal gathering to law enforcement agencies for immediate action and forestall any attempt to cause the breakdown of law and order.

“If you see something, say something. This kingdom belongs to you, don’t allow any bad influence and those that would come and destroy what we have built to succeed,” he said.

He advised the various community heads and the youths to form a committee that would monitor activities within the area and report any illegal gatherings or suspected persons to security agencies for immediate response. Also speaking, Mr Nathaniel Zofun, a community leader, affirmed the importance of the meeting and commended the king for his steadfastness.

“His Majesty has taken the right step, this call is not to parents alone, but landlords as well, to have adequate information about whoever they house as tenants.“Community leaders too should be actively involved in happenings in their environment so that whatever is capable of jeopardising peace would be nipped in the bud,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that various ethnic group leaders present at the meeting assured the traditional ruler of taking the message to their subjects. They pledged to work with him and other community heads to ensure peace and progress in the kingdom. The Divisional Police Officer of Seme Border Division, Suppl Mojeed Salami, was represented by ASP Isaac Ogunbiyi, the Divisional Crime Officer, at the meeting.

NAN reports that on March 25, a bloody clash between suspected rival cult groups at the Seme border had resulted in the death of a 19-year-old boy, Lateef Agboola. Agboola, a student of Sito Grammar School, was allegedly macheted severally before being shot at close range at the Zongo area of Seme border near Badagry, Lagos State. (NAN)