Lagos House Intervenes In Renewed Cult Crisis, Summons CP, Commissioners

Due to the increasing number of gang and cult conflicts in Mushin and other areas of the state, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called in Jimoh Moshood, the state commissioner of police, along with three additional commissioners.
After Olayinka Kazeem, who represents Mushin Constituency II, presented a motion of urgent public interest, lamenting the growing cult-related disturbance in the region, the resolution was approved during plenary on Monday.
Kazeem said that the situation was “heartbreaking to both the people and the families of these children,” adding that entire villages had been plunged into confusion and panic and that lives had been lost.
“In my constituency, there has been an alarming increase in youth unrest and violence related to cults,” he stated.

“I implore this Assembly to direct security agencies to enforce stringent drug control and step up their crackdown on cultism.”

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In order to stop additional declines into violence, he also urged immediate youth reorientation and intervention initiatives.

In response, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa ordered the Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Robert, the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Local Government, Ope George, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, and Tolani Ali-Balogun, the Commissioner for Education, to appear before the House.

These criminals, many of whom are currently residing under bridges, must be dealt with by the local governments.

According to Obasa, “we must also intensify efforts to engage the youths meaningfully.”

He emphasized that social engagement techniques and security intervention will be necessary to combat youth cultism.

The motion was backed by Nureni Akinsanya, the MP who represents Mushin I, who claimed that violent gangs operating fearlessly had taken over multiple streets in Mushin.

In his input, Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) demanded that individuals convicted of cult-related crimes face tougher punishments, cautioning that ignoring the problem would simply give the offenders more confidence.

“The legal response needs to be strengthened. Solomon argued that cultism ought to have harsher penalties.
Abuse of sachet wine, according to Femi Saheed (Kosofe II), is linked to an increase in violence because it affects judgment and encourages hostility in young people. In order to address the underlying roots of the issue, he advocated for stakeholder meetings held in the neighborhood.

He cautioned, “We’ll keep fighting a cycle until we address the triggers, especially drug and alcohol abuse.”

Lagos Mainland II’s Rasheed Shabi also mentioned that constituents frequently put pressure on lawmakers to step in and obtain bail for cult members who have been detained.

“We have to quit protecting them. Let them face the full consequences of their actions,” Shabi declared.