How cultists torment residents of Nasarawa community

The residents of One Man Village are disturbed that Ramadan has ended. They say the end of the one-month long Muslim fasting may portend recurrence of terror in the community. Cultism and crime in the community along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway in Nasarawa State, according to the residents, is on the rise in recent times, as […]

The residents of One Man Village are disturbed that Ramadan has ended. They say the end of the one-month long Muslim fasting may portend recurrence of terror in the community.

Cultism and crime in the community along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway in Nasarawa State, according to the residents, is on the rise in recent times, as cultists no longer hide or use the cover of the night to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

There was palpable anxiety in the community when our correspondents visited as most residents declined to comment on the issue out of fear for their lives, while few that spoke preferred anonymity.

A resident identified Dantata Crescent and Island areas as most affected by the menace.

He said, “If I give you my name, they may show up in my house and deal with me.”

Another resident, a fashion designer, could only say, “My brother, it is well. God will help us. The cultists show off by walking in groups on the streets in a show of force as is done by security operatives.”

He further said the cultists were “superpowers and untouchables” due to the mode of their operation, and that aside clashing with rival cult groups, they tormented residents and robbed them.

He added that, “I was at a football viewing centre when someone came in and said he was robbed at gunpoint. We later discovered he was robbed by cultists. He said they poured tear gas on his face and collected his phone and money.

“He said the cultists were very confident and did not hide their identity”, and added that there were times that they clashed with rival groups within the community and even outside the community.

Another resident who simply identified himself as Abubakar and has been living in the area for more than 25 years, said they enjoyed  relative peace during Ramadan.

Abubakar, however, said the end of the fasting period might mean the beginning of another hardship in the community, adding that the community had been peaceful until five years ago that cultism crept into the area.

He said that before the fasting started he was robbed at gunpoint by his gate when he was about entering his house.

Abubakar who said his house was located near a police outpost, alleged that the hoodlums operated undisturbed by security operatives.

He said he would have left the community if he had been a tenant and not a landlord.

He further said, “Electricity is poor in this area. So everywhere, especially the streets, is dark at night. This also helps the cultists because they usually monitor their victims who usually are not aware. They use the situation to their advantage.”

He added that due to their numbers, their victims were always overpowered and unable to challenge them.

Another resident, Martins, who has stayed in the community for about two months, said he was surprised at the spate of criminal activities in the community.

Martins described cultism in the area as “unprecedented”, adding that people did not walk freely on the streets at night and that even in their houses, they panicked at every sound.

Similarly, cultism is prevalent in Masaka, New Karu, Ado and other communities along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, all in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Mr. Bola Longe, said, “Nineteen suspected cultists and gangsters were arrested in Karu Local Government Area on April 27, 2019, and all the suspects have been charged to court and have been remanded in prison.”

Mr. Longe said they were happy with some members of the public who gave them intelligence report.

He, therefore, urged the public to maintain the utmost vigilance and call any of these emergency numbers when in distress: 08108795930 and 08112692680.

The Chairman of Karu Local Government Area, Akala Samuel Gajere, also called on his people to shun acts that were detrimental to peace.