Cultism: Five killed within three months in Kogi

Five persons were reportedly killed between November 2021 and January 2022, over cult related activities in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Our Kogi State Correspondent authoritatively gathered that rival cult groups had engaged each other with guns and other dangerous weapons at Old Market, Maigari Palace Area, Kabawa, Sarkin Noma and other areas, leading to the death of some persons.

Just recently, a cult group known as Aiye, launched a counter attack on rival cult groups: Eiye and Junior Vikings, JVC, due to disagreement over girlfriend.

The attack led to the destruction of property, while some of the suspected cultists, for fear of reprisal attack or arrest, ran to neighbouring towns and state.

Speaking to journalists during a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders, as part of efforts to end cultism in Lokoja Local Government Area, the Chairman, Lokoja First Advocacy Group, Comrade Umar Yakubu Ali, confirmed the casualties. 

Ali, said five persons were killed by rival cult groups in Lokoja within three months, necessitating the town hall meeting, themed: “A safer Lokoja is possible, if we work and walk together, we want an end to cultism in Lokoja, enough of the killings".

He described the incessant killings in Lokoja as very unfortunate, adding that it was a clear deviation from their culture.

"We in the traditional street in Lokoja, are not known for killing or hunting ourselves. Sadly, killings have become the order of the day. Most unfortunately, the people embarking on this grievous crime are children within the ages of 15, 16, 17, 18 and the highest you could see is 23.

"Whatever misunderstandings they are having within themselves, they pick guns and other dangerous weapons and start killing themselves. They shoot themselves as if it is sports. Lokoja First Advocacy Group, observed that even though the government are doing their best, they are overwhelmed. That is why as civil society organization, we have to call for this town hall meeting, to say enough is enough to this incessant killings in our Local Government.

"So far, we know that five people have lost their lives within three month. We have visited the houses of those victims that have been affected. These are the ones we know, they are others we don't know, because our community is witnessing sudden disappearance of our brothers and sisters", he explained.

A traditional ruler, Mohammed Baba, who is the Sariki Wasa of Lokoja, lamented the spate of cult activities in Lokoja Local Government Area. The Monarch, called for laws that would strengthen the traditional institutions, adding that it will help to curtail the problem in the society.

The Executive Director, Initiatives for Grassroots Advancement, INGRA, Hamza Aliu, called for synergy among relevant stakeholders, to put an end to cultism in Kogi State.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kogi State, DSP William Ovye Aya, said the Command was not aware of the casualty figure, even as he informed This Newspaper that sometime in November last year, a murder case was reported to the police, which was attributed to cult related activities.

×