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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The Yoruba Progressives Forum (YPF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in recurring killings and suspected cult clashes in Osun State, warning that the violence threatens public safety and economic activities.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Alhaji AbdulLateef Olalekan, popularly known as Asiri Ede, the group said fatal clashes had become a near-weekly occurrence, leaving residents fearful of being caught in the crossfire.
It cited the reported killing of Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as Emir Ajagungbade, in Ile-Ife, and violent deaths in Esa-Oke, Ilesa and Ikire, where it said a traveller was among two people killed.
The forum said a clash near Ilesa Garage in Osogbo on Friday, October 2, left Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as Small Rugged, and another person identified as Osha dead, while four others sustained gunshot wounds. It also cited an October 4 attack in Arowomole in which Rasaki Wahab, also known as Ojo Iku, was reportedly shot, and the reported killing of a person identified as Rogba in Esa-Oke.
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“Osun people cannot continue to live in fear while our youths kill one another and innocent residents risk being caught in the crossfire. Hardly a week passes without reports of killings or violent clashes somewhere in the state. This is unacceptable,” the group said.
The forum said the clashes had continued after the August 15 governorship election, despite Governor Ademola Adeleke’s earlier attribution of pre-election violence to political tensions. It argued that the recurring attacks suggested state authorities were overwhelmed and urged Tinubu to direct security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and local surveillance, arrest perpetrators and ensure their prosecution.
“If the Federal Government does not urgently come to our aid, we fear the situation could deteriorate further. Our people deserve to sleep with both eyes closed. Protecting lives and property must remain the primary duty of every level of government,” it said.
The group said its appeal was intended to secure decisive action against the killings rather than score political points.
It urged the state Commissioner of Police, traditional rulers, community leaders and religious institutions to collaborate on anti-cultism initiatives, while asking parents to discourage young people from joining violent groups.
