Maroc - VERACITY.COM.NG - A La Une - 25/Jan 20:12

Owo cult killings: Politicians accused of stoking violence

Several stakeholders have held the political class responsible for the recent cult-related violence in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed numerous lives. These concerns were raised at a security summit organized by the Owo Youth Forum.During the forum, Comrade Damilare Aina, a member of the group, criticized politicians for exploiting idle youths for political gains and later abandoning them. He emphasized that the summit aimed to develop strategies to restore peace in the community. Aina highlighted the importance of ongoing engagement with stakeholders to educate and guide young people toward sustainable peace.Engineer Odunayo Emmanuel Folahanmi also accused politicians of equipping youths with weapons to serve as political thugs. He noted the absence of key political leaders at the summit, aside from the deputy governor's representative. Folahanmi called for accountability among the political class, emphasizing the need for systemic change.He further alleged that political leaders often intervene when cultists are arrested, making it challenging for law enforcement to address the menace effectively. Folahanmi commended the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, and other traditional rulers for taking a stand by condemning the actions of the cultists.Dr. Foluso Taiwo, representing Owo Concerned Youths, described cultism and gangsterism as threats to the community. He urged influential individuals and leaders to prioritize skill acquisition programs to engage youths in productive activities. Taiwo stressed the need for actionable plans to curb cultism and foster community development.Police Area Commander Mr. Adenike Peter revealed that political interference often hinders police operations, as influential figures lobby for the release of arrested suspects. He urged parents to monitor their children and report criminal tendencies. Peter also called on the public to provide reliable information to aid law enforcement efforts.The NSCDC Area Commander, Oluwatimilehin Omoyajowo, commended the summit organizers and called for collaboration between parents, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to address social vices. He advised the political class to establish skill acquisition centers and utilize constituency allowances for youth engagement.Chief Imam of the Government House, Dr. Yunus Anola, lamented the history of violence in Owo, attributing it to the exploitation of idle youths by politicians. He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and parents to play active roles in addressing the root causes of insecurity.Pastor Benjamin Olayinka, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Owo, appealed to politicians to stop using thugs for selfish purposes. He also cautioned landowners against employing such individuals in disputes.Similarly, Mr. Tojjib Musa-Omoloja, a lecturer at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, criticized the absence of top political leaders at the summit. He called for sincerity and a collective effort in tackling insecurity.Representing the deputy governor, Dr. Kola Falohun commended the summit for shedding light on the challenges facing Owo. He stressed the importance of engaging youths, addressing grievances, and creating job opportunities to prevent further unrest. Falohun called on community members to provide actionable information to security agencies and urged everyone to work together to restore peace.The summit underscored the urgency of tackling cultism and its root causes while emphasizing collective responsibility in restoring harmony to Owo.