Incessant Killings, Kidnappings In Owo, Youths Go Missing After Cult Attack

The heightened insecurity in Owo in Ondo State has continued to be a source of concern to residents and other stakeholders against the backdrop of the dastardly shooting and bomb blast at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo in Ondo State on 5th of June 2022 which led to the gruesome murder of over 70 people as more than 20 people were however declared missing.

As several families count their losses after the dastardly shooting, the spate of killings and kidnappings in Owo community has further heightened the level of insecurity in the state as rival cult groups unleash mayhem while cases of kidnappings increase unabated.

In the wake of the recent attack, several people were reportedly being killed and kidnapped almost on daily basis and others missing while several families have fled from their community and abandoned businesses in order to run for their lives as dangerous cultists are on the prowl in Owo community killing members of rival group.

According to some elders in the community who include Mr Adeyemi Salami, Elder Tayo Ojo and Mr Taju, some youths have been declared missing and others found dead while several others have not been heard from or seen.

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Mr. Adeyemi, an elder and uncle to a murdered youth and the missing youth leader in the community, his nephew, the youth leader was amongst those still missing till date.

Narrating similar circumstances, Mr. Adeyemi said his nephews who were community leaders in Owo, namely Adewale Salami and Adekola Salami of no.13, Owaluwa Street were in their farm on June 20th, 2022 working when all of a sudden Adewale called his wife at home to immediately run with his son and flee in order not to incur the violent wrath of rival cult group who were after him and his family.

He said that after listening to Adewale’s wife who came and narrated what her husband had earlier told her to take the kid away and seek refuge elsewhere in order to remain safe, he knew his nephews were no longer safe.

His uncle said Adewale had earlier confided in him when he moved to Owo with his family about being a member of a dangerous cult group from his school days adding that he came back to his home town to give his wife and family the needed support .

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However, after several hours of waiting and not a word was heard from the two brothers till in the evening, Mr. Adeyemi requested for assistance from the elders that some of the local hunter (vigilante) followed him down into the farm to conduct a thorough search for the two brothers in the farm.

Adekola’s corpse was however discovered in the farm covered with bruises while Adewale corpse was not found, it was confirmed.

The vigilante in their search combed the entire community for Adewale till the next morning and were unsuccessful in their search operations .

Mr. Adeyemi further stated that the sudden disappearance of Adewale and the killing of one of his nephews Adekola in the farm would have been masterminded by members of the Black-axe confraternity who operated as unknown gun-men in the state for the ruling class adding that the rival cultists have been after his nephew’s life from his days in higher institution.

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He added that he was worried about the safety of Adewale’s wife and kid..

On his part, Mr. Taju lamented that Adekola’s murder in the farm was very unfortunate, as he had always been a very calm and peace-loving man.

However, following the recent development in the community, the whereabouts of Adewale’s wife and son was later sought after from Mr Adeyemi who responded that he had no idea of their whereabouts.

Also, Mr. Ojo claimed that 2 other youths namely Hafiz Ahmed and Lookman Hassan were still missing in the community after the violent attack in the community by the rival cult group.