Like Niger Delta militants, who some years ago renounced violence and laid down their arms for amnesty, hundreds of youths from three rival gangs in Ikorodu, on Friday, June 16, 2017, publicly declared their quittance from cultism and while embracing peace and Governor Ambode’s promised amnesty.
But unlike the Niger Delta militants, who surrendered their weapons as they renounced violence, the estimated two hundred youths from cult groups in Ikorodu were said to have implemented the first phase of their renunciation of cultism. According to His Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi of Ikorodu, the arms surrender will be done later at the second phase.
The cultists from the three main groups: Eiye confraternity, Bucaneers and Black Axe, most of who are graduates, shocked the audience Oba Shotobi had assembled at his palace to witness the turnaround event as some of them smoked their Indian hemp openly, choking the arena with the offensive smoke.
The youths, comprising males and females, came out boldly to renounce their previously deadly groups and their activities. While some of them were shy to speak or to face the media camera, others were bold enough to grant press interviews to Journalists.
Leaders of the three cult groups addressed the pubic at the palace. They are Abdulazeez Solebo for Eiye Confraternity, Mr. Lanre Gold Akinyemi for Bucaneers and Seyi Ajasa of Black Axe confraternity, whose members were drawn from across Ikorodu division.
One by one, these leaders stepped out to make powerful speeches on behalf of their members to renounce their evil ways of the past and to embrace peace and Governor Ambode’s Amnesty.
Each also vowed never to go back to cultism or any form of crime nor to kill themselves again but to embrace rehabilitation and God.
One of the leaders attributed their resort to cultism to lack of job opportunities for the youths; hence, he appealed to Governor Ambode to provide employment for them.
The cult leaders lamented that they the cultists were being used by land grabbers and politicians for dirty jobs. While the sons and daughters of these politicians are abroad living in luxury, these politicians give us guns to kill for their selfish interests,” one of the cultists said. More than two hundred (200) guests at the palace were dazed as these cult members revealed their ugly past.
Chief Ayodele Elesho masterfully anchored the programme wisely, referring to the youths as “our children” rather than addressing them as cultists.
It was a joyful and emotional event as Kabiyesi who said he had spent a lot of money to perform traditional rites/rituals to check activities of criminals in his domain, danced with these repented youths. He promised to convey to Governor Ambode the request of the cultists for jobs, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.
For Oba Shotobi, it was a major success and a historic moment, being the first of its kind in Ikorodu’s history to witness the surrender of such a large number of previously bad boys and girls.
For a town (kingdom) that has been terrified for years and witnessed a lot of bloodshed, it was a major victory for the new Ayangbure of Ikorodu.
Another cheering news was not only the renunciation of cultism and violence but the pledge by the ex-cultists to join the good society in Ikorodu division to chase the Badoo boys and to subdue them.
The action and pledge of these former cultists is so timely, coming at a time the entire Ikorodu division, from Ibeshe to Eruwen, Adamo down to Odokekere, first gate (LASPOTEC) and other areas, were already living in fear over the dreadful killings of entire families by the evil Badoo Group.
The serial killings had forced many areas including 1st/2nd gate, Idera, Rofo, Egirin and other parts of Odogunyan to embark on massive mobilization for war against the group.
Landlords and tenants in these communities, since June 12, had been keeping watch at nights with their vigilante groups, burning tyres, blowing sirens and whistles and patrolling their areas with whatever weapons they have to hunt down the Badoo boys, vowing to set ablaze any of such criminals caught in their domains.
Similar vigilance is said to be kept in communities at Odo Nla, Ifakale, etc; as residents revolt over the unchecked wiping off of entire families by blood sucking Badoo boys.
Abdulazeez Sholebo, a leader of the Eiye Confraternity, spoke with newsmen after his group joined other cult groups, including the Bucaneers and the Black Axe, to publicly announce their resolve to quit cultism and all forms of criminalities.
Sholebo said that they would not return to their former ways again and thanked the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for granting them amnesty. He announced that the youths, following their decision to embrace peace, have also decided to hunt the notorious Badoo killers and other criminals out of town.
Akinyemi Gold Lanre, of the Buchacee cult, apologized to the people of Ikorodu on behalf of other cultists that they were sorry for all the atrocities they committed against them. He said they were delighted to be given another opportunity in life to draw closer to God and make good use of their life. He expressed joy for the opportunity to turn a new leaf.
He commended the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, and other leaders present at the event,for graciously keying into and implementing the amnesty programme introduced by Governor Ambode for youths that had gone astray. He particularly accused the Ajagungbales (land grabbers) across the state of promoting cultism and street gangsterism by recruiting cultists to do their dirty jobs.
Leader of the Black Axe cult, Seyi Ajasa, said that his group would not abuse the rare opportunity offered them. He promised that with the decision of the youths to come clean and live a peaceful life, the worrisome spate of cult clashes and incessant killings in the area would be a thing of the past. He begged members of the society not to discriminate against the repentant youths.
“We are also not pleased with the life of violence and crime we were living. We are ready for peace, and with what is happening here today, I can assure you that cult clashes and incessant killings in the division would become a thing of the past. I just want to appeal to Kabiyesi and the Governor as well as other leaders to get us rehabilitated,” he said.
Comrade Lanre Olabinjo, Coordinator of the Ikorodu for Peace Initiative, urged the youths to show true repentance and not to return to crime.” We are happy with the decision of the government to grant you amnesty to have a new lease of life, to reform you so that you will be useful to yourselves and the society. Note that amnesty is not a leverage to continue in criminality. It is to give you another opportunity to live a good life and be useful,” he said.
Olabinjo, who is also the leader of the Onyabo Vigilante Group, emphasized that the law would catch up with any of the youths that went back to commit crime. “The security agencies will go after you and deal with you. I assure you that by then, you will not have this opportunity. It is not Lanre that is sending you to jail; it is the law,” he added.
Oba Shotobi, while thanking Governor Ambode and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, for their commitment to ensuring that the state is rid of crime and violence, commended the youths for taking the decision to shun violence and embrace peace. The traditional ruler promised to continue to laise with the state government in ensuring that the youths are rehabilitated.
After all these accounts and testaments, the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, Sheikh Seifudeen Olowooribi, in his sermon, advised the youths that they are the future of the community and the nation at large. He was so certain that there is hope for them. The Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu, Sheikh Yahya Olorunosebi Oshoala (As-Samadaani), prayed for the forgiveness of God upon all of them.
Furthermore, Area Commander, Area N, Ijede, Mr. Garba, who was ably represented by CSP Edegvayi Olanrewaju, DPO Sagamu road, in his speech, requested for the profile of all the youths who have renounced cultism, assuring them of adequate support from the government while enjoining all to work in alliance with the police.
After all said and done, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi could not conceal his happiness as he anticipated positive results. Kabiyesi, therefore, enjoined the repentant youths to be genuine in their decision, action and in character.
He thanked the security operatives for their determination to abate crime in the division. Oba Shotobi further appealed for total cooperation and unity of purpose among all to enable us apprehend the Badoo Group so that fresh air of peace and tranquility can blow in Ikorodu again. He sued for calmness at every nook and cranny.
Without much ado, immediately after the closing prayer was said, the songs of “the war is over,” “the storm is over” rented the air as the youths in the spirit of jubilation, danced round the neighboring communities.
Among those that witnessed the occasion were His Royal Majesties, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu; Oba (Dr.) Akeem Oriyomi, Obateru of Egbin; Oba Richard Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe; Regents of Ijede and Ipakodo; reputable Chiefs from Igbogbo led by Chief Jelili Oduntan, the Balogun of Igbogbo; Otunba Ayodele Elesho; Asipa Kaoli Olusanya; Chief Monzor Olowosago; Chief Sulaimon Ogidi; Muslim leaders in Ikorodu; Members of COLID led by Comrade Kehinde Okeowo; IKODAS; members of Nigeria Army, 174 Battalions led by the Commander Eze; DSS, Nigeria Police and different cult groups.
Oba Shotobi further appealed for total cooperation by all and sundry in the ongoing efforts to apprehend the Badoo gang. He challenged the repentant youths to channel their energy towards driving criminals out of the area. He, however, condemned any form of jungle justice, saying it is barbaric and uncivilized