Farmers in some villages in Ijesaland have raised the alarm over the invasion of cultists in their settlements, calling on the state government to come to their rescue.
According to the farmers, the cultists have run them out of their villages following incessant attacks on them without help from any quarter.
The farmers disclosed that the cultists have continuously been attacking residents of Aladodo, Olowu, Itapa, Oluwo, and Etioni in Atakunmosa East Local Government Area of Osun State for over a week.
One of the farmers, who spoke in Ilesa, said the cultists first attacked Aladodo village before going to other villages.
The farmer who craved anonymity said the cultists were avenging the death of the son of one of them, who was reportedly drowned in a stream.
“The cultists first attacked Aladodo village on Thursday, last week. They came with motorcycles and started shooting sporadically. They unleashed machete cuts on anybody they laid their hands on. They have sacked the village completely.
“The reason for their attack is that one of their sons was drowned in the stream; he died and his corpse was recovered. The cultists claimed the boy was killed and thrown into the stream; that is why they are attacking us.
“After succeeding in running the residents out of Aladodo village, the cultists moved to other villages, attacking the people one after the other. Villages like Itapa, Oluwo, Etioni, and Olowu are constantly being attacked. Some of the farmers and other residents have fled because of the incessant attacks from the cultists.
“The government and the police should please come to our rescue. We have nowhere to live.”
It was gathered that the cultists obtained a sum of N200, 000 from a farmer in one of the villages.
The farmer was also macheted by the cultists after obtaining the cash sum.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said the police would take necessary action on the matter.
Opalola urged the farmers and other residents of the affected villages to report to the Divisional Police Officer in their area.
