A day before May 27, a day celebrated globally as Children’s Day, three parents welcomed a loss into their households in Ijoko, a community in Ogun State. All three of them lost a child each. Although they were adults at the time of their deaths, they were still children in the eyes of their parents and were referred to as such.

Two of them were alleged to be cultists from Aye and Eiye, two rival cult groups in Ijoko. FIJ learned that one of the deceased, who was identified as Seun, was an alleged member of Aye. Seun was reportedly killed by members of the Eiye confraternity and beheaded, and his dismembered head was hung on the Ijoko bridge for all to see and to “pass a message”.

John (not real name), a corps member whose place of primary assignment is a school in Ijoko, described the event as gory.

“I do not reside here. I am only here because I was posted here by NYSC. I was not in Ijoko when it happened, but I saw pictures and videos. I was terrified. A guy’s head was hung on the bridge for all to see. It was a gory sight,” said John.

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“I heard that one of the leaders of a cult group was seen riding on a horse and had bullets strapped to his shoulders. He was accompanied by other cultists. The traders were running helter-skelter, but they told them they were not there for them but the person they wanted to kill.”

A LONG HISTORY OF CULT CLASHES

Kamilu (not real name), a resident of Ijoko who has been living there since 2015, when he was 15 years old, told FIJ that cult clashes are commonplace in Ijoko. He added that these clashes were no longer as rampant as they were in previous years.

“Cult clashes and reprisal attacks have reduced in the past three years. Before now, we used to witness at least one cult clash weekly. Cultism is sickening. There were times I had to run for my life while playing on the football field because of these clashes. I don’t go to watch evening matches anymore because of those clashes. I also wear selective colours so that I won’t be identified as a cultist and attacked by cultists,” said Kamilu.

In October 2023, three people lost their lives to cult clashes in Ijoko, two of whom were alleged members of the Eiye confraternity, one of the leading cult groups in the community.

‘NOBODY IS SAFE’

John told FIJ that he doesn’t feel safe staying in Ijoko throughout his service year and has been traumatised by the event since that day.

“Nobody is safe. There is no way a cult group will kill a member of a rival cult group and not expect retaliation. They would definitely retaliate. The cult groups may say they will only attack members of rival cult groups, but nobody is safe when it comes to cult clashes. I have heard of innocent people being attacked during cult clashes,” he said.

READ ALSO: ‘Cultist’ Kills, Walks Around With a Gun in Ogun Community — And the Police Look Away

“Everywhere is calm and peaceful for now, and I am not praying for a reoccurrence, but the thought of another cult clash traumatises me.”

Kamilu also told FIJ that every young person in Ijoko lives in fear as a result of the cult clashes, is wary of future occurrences and could be arrested by local vigilantes who may suspect them to be cultists.

“I was arrested by vigilantes around 7 pm, days after the cult clash. I had to show them my school ID card, and a few people had to vouch for me before I was released. Aside from this, cult clashes are also avenues for robberies. I have been a victim on a few occasions,” he said.

CHILDREN ARE AFFECTED

As someone whose place of primary assignment is a school and who is in contact with children daily, John is worried about the negative effects these recurring cult clashes would have on children who reside in Ijoko.

“I am concerned about the young ones and scared for them. The children who saw the pictures, videos and witnessed it were terrified. Imagine a young child seeing such a thing. It would definitely affect the child’s mental health. I am mature and can control my emotions, but what about the children?” He asked.

Idowu Winner, the founder of Renovare Mental Health Institute, told FIJ that cult clashes have adverse effects on the mental health of children.

“The gory pictures and videos of the aftermath of cult clashes are usually like scenes from a movie. As an adult, I am appalled to see such a thing. Now imagine children who see them and have to walk past the dead bodies that are placed in strategic positions to send a message. The effects are damning,” said Idowu.