By Ismaeel Uthman
THE incessant clashes between some cult groups in Osogbo, State of Osun, have forced residents of Kolawole and Atelewo areas to abandon their houses and shops.
Also, commuters who normally patronise artisans and traders in the area have ceased from going there because of the fear of being victims of the cultists’ violent activities.
OSUN DEFENDER visited the area on Thursday around 11am and noted that majority of the shops were closed, while human and vehicular movements on the road were scanty.
Upon enquiry, the medium was told that residents of the area, particularly tenants, have been moving out to seek accommodation elsewhere because of the incessant cult clashes.
Kolawole is notorious for the presence of the cultists, according to residents of the area.
The residents who spoke with the medium under anonymity said Kolawole is the den of some of the ‘bad guys’ who assemble to smoke Indian Hemp and drink beer at different locations in the area.
According to the residents, Kolawole has always been at the centre of every cult clash that has been happening so far in Osogbo.
A young man, simply known as Daniel was killed at Kolawole in the last Sunday clash between Eiye and Aiye confraternities.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that there was another clash between the Aiye and Eiye confraternities on Tuesday, in Kolawole.
The clash, according to residents of the area, started around 9pm with gunshots by some cultists who came into the area with about six motorcycles.
It was gathered that the cultists attacked some innocent people in the area and destroyed their property.
Speaking with the medium, one of the residents said: “People have been moving out of this area. Our customers are no longer coming here. We are all living in fear because you never can tell when next the cultists will strike. This place is notorious for cultists’ presence. They lurk around, smoking hemp and drinking beer from morning till night.
“Anytime they start fight, they will come with wheelbarrow to pack bottles from a shop here. They will be shooting and breaking bottles everywhere. People will scamper for safety. This has been happening for long. The cultists fight always every weekend.”
Narrating his experience, another resident, Ololade Alawode, said the cultists have taken over the street while residents are helpless.
Alawode said: “We are living in fear in Kolawole. If you look around, a lot of shops have been closed. Many of the houses are locked. People are moving out of this place because there is no peace and security.
“The cultists will collect peoples’ phones on the street in broad daylight and ask them to pay N5, 000 before giving it back to them. They will beat people at will.
“It will interest you that the cultists do not reside here. They don’t have houses or shops here. But they always come everyday to smoke hemp and drink beer in Kolawole. The Police cannot do anything because some policemen do come here to some hemp too.
“The government should come to our rescue. We can’t sleep with our two eyes closed. We are tired of these incessant attacks.”
