Insecurity: Suspected Cultists Burn Home of Ogun Politician

By Our Correspondent 

Gunmen suspected to be cultists went on rampage in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, assaulting many people, burning a house and distrupting the peace of the  city.

The young men, whose numbers could not be ascertained as at press time, on Saturday 7th April 2023, attacked and burnt the family house of one Mrs. Peju Ogundairo living in Olokuta area of the city.

Report indicated that the attackers came to the area and the particular house in search of a man called Hon. Adebayo Ogundairo, a politician and son to Mrs. Peju Ogundairo.

Investigation revealed that the mission of the hoodlums was to retaliate an earlier attack on one of their gang leaders named "Omoaye", a strong loyalist of the state governor, Dapo Abiodun.

"Omoaye" was said to have had one of his legs crushed by a campaign vehicle of Hon. Adebayo Ogundairo during the 2019 general elections.

It will be recalled that the election in Ogun State was marred with violence and bloody clashes among rival politicians and sponsored gangs in the state.

The incident, which is the latest in series of politically motivated attacks, happened around 6am on the said day when people had gathered to commence preparation for the burial proceeding of one of Mrs. Peju Ogundairo daughter who passed away few days earlier.

An eyewitnesses who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the attackers wielding guns, matchete and other dangerous weapons, stormed the family house with the hope that Adebayo would come around for the burial of his late sister.

In his words, "They stormed the house, shooting indiscriminately and requested for Adebayo Ogundairo. On learning that their target was not at the residence, they got  angry beat and matcheted some guests and manhandled the bereaved mother, Mrs. Peju Ogundairo, actually hitting her on the head with a gun and matcheted her alongside her other son named Taiwo, who sustained a deep cut on his hand and her daughter funmilola also battered by the gunmen. Some of us could have been victims if not that we scampered for safety".

Confirming the incident, a son to Mrs. Peju Ogundairo's said the family house was attacked and later burnt by gunmen loyal to the state government.

According to him, "Our family was attacked, destroyed and burnt by political thugs who are well know to be members of ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and supporters of the governor".

Continuing, he said, "Many members of the family including grandchildren were injured in the attack and are currently at the  hospital for treatment. They went ahead to burn the house and as I speak we have not seen one of my uncles, Mr. Femi Ogundairo who was present at the house during the incident".

When contacted for comments on the dastardly development,  the spokesperson of the Ogun State police command did not respond to calls and messages to that effect.

A community leader in Olokuta, Alhaji Ibrahim Adetunji however condemned the incident and called on both the government and police to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.