A notorious cultist identified as Rasidi Oko’lu, who was declared wanted by the Osun state police command has spoken from hiding.
Rasidi in a voice note released online threatened to unleash fresh violence in the Ede area of Osun State, unless police operatives and members of Oodua Peoples Congress desist from hunting him and residents of Isale Osun, Ede.
Police command in Osun state had declared Rasidi wanted, noting that anyone that harboured him would also be treated as a criminal.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer for Osun Command, Yemisi Opalola on Thursday, said Rasidi was wanted for offences related to murder, arson, ritual killing and armed robbery.
Opalola said“suspect has been causing menace in Ede and the entire Osun state. Anybody by harbour the suspect will be treated by the police as accomplice to the crimes. Anybody having useful information to his whereabouts will be handsomely rewarded.”
However, speaking from hiding after he had declared wanted, Rasidi urged elders of the community to intervene, or he would return to the town and unleash mayhem.
He said: “I am a thug and I was earning money on the street. I don’t steal. I am not a thief. I am an artisan. I am a welder. They wanted me and my boys to join them in OPC. But then I have people I regarded as mothers and elderly ones that were OPC members.
”Those people told me that those that invited me to OPC were thieves, especially Doki. In my presence, one of those that invited me to OPC went to steal an iron rod and he killed someone at the scene about 5 years ago in Ede here.
“Despite their antecedents, some elders in the community still indulged and continue to associate with them. I rejected the invitation to join OPC. That made them attack my base. They came in the early hours of February 2, 2020, but we dealt with them. Those that came were OPC members. Because they suffered heavy casualties, they had to join forces with a member Special Anti Robbery Squad from Osun police Command.
“Timi of Ede ordered us not to involve in violence again and we all abide by the order. But after all that, the OPC men still attacked me on December 4, 2021, and two of my younger brothers were killed right in front of a police station. And one other that ran into the police station was traced into the station and he was killed in the presence of the policemen.
“Few of the elders that spoke to me only pleaded but no action was taken to punish the perpetrators. I listened to the pleading and I mourned the dead. I bought gifts, made stickers campaigning for peace in Ede land. I funded street light project in our area, I distributed food items to all the mosques in our area.
”After all the efforts, these OPC men still attacked and killed my elder brother at Owode, Ede. Apart from the deceased named Kehinde, my younger brother was shot in the stomach and I was also shot several times and they went away with my vehicle.
“After that, Doki Wakili, Oriade and Jagunlabi killed my mother. She was killed on Tuesday, 22nd February 2022. I hereby appealed to all indigenes, Osun State Government, Federal Government to intervene. All royal fathers in Osun should also intervene.
“Some OPC men also came to Isale Osun on 9th March, they packed people’s property and took them away in five buses. No one could do anything about it. I am using this medium to tell all Ede residents that I am coming and when I return, the effect will be felt by many people.
”Those not involved in the crises will pay for it. Before now, people used to see me and greet me. But when I return, if you see me, you see death. I see you, you die, you see me, you die,”
