11th February, 2011
Following the incessant cult group clashes in Epe town between Eiye and Aiye gangs, which claimed the life of a housewife identified as Funke Yusuf, and later sparked off protests by residents of Epe, the Oloja of Epe has appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola and security agencies to wade into the matter.
Speaking with P.M.NEWS in his palace over last week’s cult clashes, Oba Kamarudeen Ishola Animashaun said, “the cult war has been on for some time and I have been trying my best alongside other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem, all to no avail.
“I am now calling on Governor Fashola to look into the matter and identify the people behind the cultists, because each time they clash, innocent people are injured or even killed.
“But for the new DPO of Epe Police Division and the RRS personnel, my palace would have been set ablaze by the rampaging protesters who brought the corpse of a victim to my palace. I thank the DPO for doing a good job,” the monarch said.
He said a group of protesters came to his palace and vandalised everything, including my cars, trailers and poured salt inside some of the trailers’ engines.
“The leader of the group is after me because I prevented him from selling Epe land to the PHCN; he claimed he wanted to use it to boost electricity in Epe. The police should investigate the Epe case urgently,” he pleaded.
—Paul Iyoghojie