Cult activities has reared its ugly head again in lkorodu, as suspected cultists stormed Elesin area of ljede, in search of a boy, Alliu Lamina, 17, whom they suspected is in a rival cult group alleged to have killed their member, and inflicted severe injuries on his mother, Alhaja Kabira Lamina, when she was unable to produce him.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 when the suspected cultists invaded 7, Abayomi Close off Franmich road, Eleshin, Ijede Road, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, home of Alliu Lamina.
It was alleged that the cultists ransacked and destroyed Alhaja Kabira Lamina’s apartment and also carted away her monies, phones and other belongings.
Our reporter further gathered that the recent cult unrest was caused by the alleged killing of a prominent member of the Axe confraternity. The cult group was reported to have suspected that the killing was carried out by the rival Eiye cult group which Alliu is alleged to be a member and one of those suspected to have carried out the killing.
It was also gathered that the cultists have been wooing the 17-year old boy to join them but that he refused their membership. This, we gathered, was responsible for the reason he was being threatened by the rival cult group, for some time now.
We also gathered that a few days earlier, they suspected cult guys also stormed the house in search of Alliu, but unfortunately did not meet anyone as it was reported that he had travelled out of the country with his mother.
Sources in the Alliu Lamina’s house and neighbourhood said that the gun-wielding cultists came on motorbikes and shot sporadically in the air shouting, ‘’Alliu, come out’’. It was also reported that the irate cultists forcefully broke into the apartment and later left when they did not see him.
According to the report gathered, occupants of the house and neighbours in the area, had to locked themselves indoor for fear of being attacked by the weapons wielding dreadful looking boys.
It was also gathered that the occupants called Alliu’s mother who was abroad with him, to inform her about the unwanted visit by the cultists who threatened heaven and earth if they apprehend his son.
According to sources, Alliu’s mother came back to the country without her son, a few days after the cult guys stormed their house in search of him, because of fear for his life in the hands of those looking for him. Probably acting on information, the suspected cultists, again, stormed the house thinking that their target came back with his mother.
Unfortunately, Alliu’s mother was home to pick a few of her things when the assailants came in and because she was unable to produce his son, they mercilessly beat her with dangerous weapons and destroyed her apartment, while they also went away with her monies and other valuables.
Attempts to speak with her at the hospital that she was admitted proved abortive. It was gathered that she suffered severe injuries and the doctor did not want anybody to disturb her.
When our reporter the hospital, Alliu’s father, whom we gathered has been separated from his mother, was with her as well as family members.
A tenant at Alliu’s house, who spoke with our reporter, narrated their experience:
“It was like every other normal day, and we were going about our lives. At about 4:30pm, about 10 boys came in with different motorbikes in such a manner that brought tension in our area. On sighting them, everybody had to run inside for fear of being attacked.
“After a while, these guys, who were holding dangerous weapons, started banging the house’s gate, and shouting Alliu’s name.
“They were calling his name and issuing threats. Their voices and threats enveloped the area and no one dare come out”, he said.
He said that the cultists left after about 30 minutes of disturbing the peace of the area and creating fears in the minds of the residents.
Another resident who also spoke with our reporter, said the incident reminded him of the period when lkorodu was under the cultists siege, killing and maiming as they pleased.
A cousin of Alliu, who spoke with our reporter at the hospital, informed our reporter that Alliu’s mother was in a critical condition. He explained that Alliu’s mother said that the suspected cultists asked her to produce her son, and that they unleashed terror on her when she told them that he was not available.
He said that the suspected cult guys had been threatening Alliu for some months, because they wanted him to be initiated into their group, and denied that he was part of the cult groups that are killing themselves.
He also revealed that the matter has been reported to the police and the Local Joint Security Task Force (LJTF) of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative (IDPIL).
Efforts to speak with Alliu’s father proved abortive.
Meanwhile, the General Commandant of the LJTF – IDPIL, Akogun Lanre Olabinjo, confirmed the incident and informed our reporter that efforts are on to bring the suspected cult guys to book.
He also said that they are working with the police on the matter.
“Yes, we received the information and we have since been on their trail. We know them and we are going to do everything to bring them to book.
“We will not allow their hydra-headed monster act to rear its ugly head again like they did for over a decade during which they brought Ikorodu’s social and economic life down on its knees. We have already going after them and we will apprehend them and hand them over to the police for prosecution”, LJTF Commandant assured.
He further added, “So far, we cannot ascertain any killing which you claimed led to a group threatening Alliu, but we will keep digging. At the moment, they are on the run and we will definitely apprehend them to answer for the unimaginable things that they did to that single mother and why they are threatening his boy,” he added.