Segun Atanda/
There was widespread fears among residents of Mowe town and its environs, in Ogun State, on Friday, following threats by a notorious secret cult, Aye, to unleash violence on the community.
Police have, however, reacted to the development, assuring the residents they have put measures in place to deal decisively with the menace of the notorious cult.
Fears of possible cult clashes had forced most schools in the area to cancel classes, while residents stayed indoors to avoid being caught up in the violence.
It was learned that the cult had notified leaders of the community they would be holding their annual traditional rites on Friday and warned residents to stay indoors.
Most schools in the area sent text messages to parents, on Thursday night, to inform them that schools would not open on Friday.
The text of the message sent by a popular school in Mowe (name withheld) read: “Dear Valued Parents. We regret to inform you that our school will not be opened tomorrow Friday July 7, 2017 due to security concerns and possible violent clashes between rival cult groups. We will resume normal classes on Monday July 10, 2017. Thank you.”
However, a statement by the police, on Friday, read: “The attention of Ogun State Command has been drawn to rumours going round that there is a siege on Mowe area of Ogun State, as a result of cult related activities. The rumour also has it that the DPO of Mowe Divisional Headquarters was attacked and seriously injured by the cultists.
“The Command would not have dignified the rumour with a response but members of the public have to be properly informed and that is why we are making the following clarifications.
“There is no siege whatsoever in Mowe or any part of Ogun State and the DPO Mowe or any officer of Ogun State Police Command has not been attacked or injured by anybody.”
The statement, signed by the public relations officer of the command, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, however, said the command was aware of the threat of violence by the cult and had put measures in place to tackle it.
“The command is not unaware of speculation that some cult groups want to celebrate what they termed 7/7, with a view of causing mayhem.
“In view of the this, the command has deployed large numbers of men of its special units, such as FSARS, PMF, as well as Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism unit, in addition to other Conventional Police deployment across the length and breadth of the State to forestall any act capable of undermining the security of the citizens.
“The command, hereby, urges members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation from anybody, and to also quickly notify the Police if any strange face, movement or gathering is noticed in their area,” the statement concluded.
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