By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
The Owo Concerned Group in Ondo State has attributed the rising cult clashes in the Owo area to political sponsorship and parental neglect.
This was the outcome of a stakeholders’ meeting held over the weekend, which brought together various community leaders, traditional rulers, and government representatives.
The meeting was convened in response to the recent cult clashes that claimed five lives, including a politician, a woman, and her child.
The Ondo State Government has since imposed a curfew in Owo to curb the violence, while the police have arraigned eight suspects in connection with the killings.
According to the group, politicians enabling and supporting cultists have significantly fueled lawlessness in Owo Local Government.
The group urged politicians to immediately stop enabling and supporting cultists and criminal elements in Owo Kingdom.
This, they believe, will help to reduce the level of violence and restore peace to the area.
The Owo Concerned Group also emphasized the importance of parental responsibility in addressing the crisis.
A lack of proper parental oversight and responsibility has exacerbated hooliganism and cult-related activities, the group noted. Parents were encouraged to take a more active role in monitoring their children’s activities and ensuring they do not get involved in cultism.
To address the issue, the summit proposed several resolutions.
These include security measures such as prohibiting the use of cross-body bags and banning informal street gatherings to curb delinquency.
The group also advocated for youth engagement, parental responsibility, and community recognition.
The stakeholders emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in addressing Owo’s security challenges. They noted that the community must come together to support the government’s efforts to restore peace and order.
The group expressed optimism that the resolutions would chart a sustainable path to ending the menace and fostering a harmonious, secure, and prosperous Owo Kingdom.
The Owo Concerned Group’s recommendations have been welcomed by the Ondo State Government, which has pledged to work with the community to implement the proposed solutions. With the collective efforts of the government, community leaders, and residents, there is hope that the cult violence in Owo will soon be a thing of the past.
