Tears, Sorrow, Blood As Cultists Take Over Kogi Community BY SAM EGWU
Days would have passed as usual in the community of Idah in Kogi State, but not with several clashes involving cultists where bloods are spilled, life lost, property wasted, parents watching gory scene of wards being gunned down in cold blood, leaving behind tears, sorrow and blood were the common phenomenon in the society, today, life does not mean anything to this class of people anymore. In December 2015, the tranquility of Idah town was replaced by pandemonium as a result of cult clashes. It was the eve of a new year and like most Nigerians, the residents of the historic town in the Eastern Senatorial Districts of Kogi State were looking forward to what had been popularly referred to as the cross-over night with enthusiasm. As is the tradition, the day day was filled with a beehive of activities with the streets packed with people rushing for one engagement or another. Others chose to spend the day in their local churches to count their blessing, reflect on the past as well as seek divine assistance for the coming year. According to account, a group of youths had on the fateful day organised a party in one of the suburbs to mark the end of the year and that event attracted a large group of teenagers and others in their twenties. In the heat of the ceremony, a group of youths stormed the venue in search of a lad over his alleged involvement in prior incident that led to the injury of a member of a rival cult group. Armed with guns and axes they combed the entire vicinity threatening any one that dared to confront them with fire and brimstone. Sensing danger, the wanted youth, Ibrahim Wada (not real name) jumped out of his hideout and took to his heels hoping to outsmart his pursuers. He was not alone in this race for life as other members of his cult group scampered in different directions in search of safety. For close to an hour, pandemonium and apprehension enveloped the affected community with some of the residents abandoning their duty posts, chores and other activities in other to dash back home. The ancient town of Idah was turned into a theatre of violence as guns, cutlasses, axes and other weapons were freely used on each other by the cult groups. When the dust finally settled, Ibrahim Wada laid dead in a pool of his blood, while others had various degrees of injuries. Ibrahim was struck several times with axe by his attackers until he kicked the bucket, dead. Four weeks later, a reprisal attack was planned and hatched in a broad daylight at the ever busy Idah market area. It was gathered that a group suspected to have links with late Ibrahim Wada trailed their victim to the spot and on a bike where they stabbed him before disappearing into the crowd. Those that witnessed the incident observed with horror that it was not only professionally executed but that the actors were barely out of their teens These are a few out of the gory tales coming out of the area in recent times. At the moment, most of residents of Idah town and its environs are seriously concerned about their security and safety following the growing number of clashes and its effects on the community. The phenomenon is however not peculiar to the area alone as more and nore tows and villages across the state are gradually embracing this worrisome culture of violence and cultism. LEADERSHIP Weekend investigation reveals that cult related activities are gradually spreading to the nooks and crannies of cities and towns across Kogi State. This might be not unconnected with the fact that university environment is becoming unsafe just that there is a growing need to extend their frontiers and influence. From Kabba town to Okene, Ejule to Lokoja, the stories and testimonies are similar. Members of those cults operate in groups of mostly youths who share similar ideology or recreational activity. This is done mostly to cover their identities and evade curiosity of members of the public. After their rigorous initiations, they are introduced to hard drugs and other intoxicants before they began their journey into a life of crime that involves such activities as rape, armed robbery, killing, kidnapping, hired assassins, thuggery and other related vices. Some of the pronounced cults groups in Kogi include the , Vikings, Buccaneers, Pirates and Black Bra among others. More chilling is the tale of how primary school pupils have now become their targets. These innocent children are conscripted into cult, these group that have denied them the opportunity to explore and enjoy their life. the story is worst at the secondary school levels where more teenagers have become tools and agents of destruction in the society. Stories are told of how they cause all manners of crisis and confusion in their communities. Some go the whole hug of obtaining talisman power to kill their friends or perceived enemies who dine and wine with them in the community. In view of their vulnerable nature, most of these young boys are recruited through enticements which can come in the form of financial support. from privileged or highly placed members of their communities. Worthy of mention is the battle for supremacy and territory that has forced many residents to flee their communities and homes for safety. It is on record that college cult groups have clashed with their rivals at the University level over girl friends or other related matter. Such fights were usually fierce and it is on record that lives and properties are lost in the process.. Politicians and political groups also play a great role in molding these youths into dreaded members of their communities. It is believed that they play active role in disrupting rallies, electioneering activities as well as threaten perceived enemies of their pay master. Some have come to attribute the increasing number of crime and conflict in the state and country at large, to cultism. Some argued that despite risk and danger involved some kids have found pleasure in the crime, even seeing how some of their members die violently. They further wondered whether the family value finally collapsed that nobody takes instruction from the parents anymore. LEADERSHIP Weekend investigation revealed that teenagers and youths choose to belong to the various cult groups earlier mentioned above to confer respect and recognition on those who join the cult. It is also discovered that membership is likely to provide protection for the youths against sanctions among their colleagues, the university authorities and government, just as it provides avenues for financial assistance and popularity for member. It is believed that money extorted from non- members is channeled in the welfare purse to aid members.

Declare state of emergency immediately and arrest the governor.

Where is keneking sef?

Kogi state where kidnapping is a daily affair and the security operatives have not been able to bounce on those silly fulanis carrying out these evil acts, it's really bad

H

Didn't know that Buccanneers are violent. They look dirty like the Forefathers