Ogun PDP governorship aspirant Jimi Lawal condemns cult-related killings

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state, Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal (JAL) has condemned the renewed fight between rival cult groups in the state.

The supremacy battle between the rival cult groups was said to have resulted in the death of about 15 people - eight in Sagamu and seven in Abeokuta - in the last one week.

Lawal, in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Wednesday, said, "The increase in the spate of crime and violence in our dear Ogun state is becoming alarming and unacceptable. We can no longer gloss over it or pretend that all is well.

"Whilst not justifying the resort to crime, violence and killing under any guise, it is a common saying that an idle hand is the devil's workshop. There is no gainsaying the fact that we need to consciously engage our youths and help them to channel their energies to productive ventures that would be beneficial to them and the society at large.

"It is also important to overhaul the whole security architecture of the state to make it more grassroots-oriented and intelligence-driven. That way, the security measures would be proactive instead of being reactive."

The governorship hopeful empathized with the bereaved and prayed the Almighty God to comfort them even as he urged the Police to urgently nip the situation in the bud and ensure that the course of justice is served.