In a recent revelation, Oliver Sunday, a 42 year old suspect and member of the Eiye Confraternity, confessed to joining the cult primarily to benefit from land grabbing activities. His arrest came after his 12 year old son accidentally took a locally made cut to size gun, thinking it was scrap metal, to a buyer. This incident unfolded a shocking story of a man’s descent into cultism for financial gain.
Oliver, originally from Edo State but residing in Ogijo, Ogun State, found himself deeply involved with land grabbers, also known as ajagungbale.These individuals, often linked to cult groups, enforce control over land transactions, frequently resorting to violence and intimidation.
The incident began when Oliver’s son discovered the gun under a chair while sweeping and took it to a scrap buyer to sell, hoping to get some money for food. The scrap buyer, upon realizing it was a firearm, reported the boy to the police. Both father and son were subsequently taken into custody for further investigation.
The boy’s story is one of hardship and neglect. Abandoned by his mother at the age of five, he was left to live with his father, who, according to him, barely provided for his needs. His father was often absent, leaving him hungry and without proper care. Though the boy had begun training as a mechanic three months earlier, it was clear his father’s chaotic lifestyle impacted him deeply.
He described instances of abuse, including a time when his father beat him with a cutlass, leaving a head injury. He also recounted how his father frequently took drugs and alcohol, bringing women into their home.
The boy, now under police protection, expressed a desire to live with a woman who had previously taken care of him in Ogijo, since he was unsure of his mother's whereabouts.
Oliver confessed to joining the Eiye Confraternity two years ago after being introduced to it by a man named Ibaka, a spiritual figure in the group. The initiation took place in a remote bush in Agbowa, where he was blindfolded, made to drink water, and given a bird name, Kingfisher. His godfatherbin the group, known as Agbara, provided him with orientation and a firearm to use during land grabbing activities.
The suspect detailed how he and other cult members, led by a man named Majasola, would confront their opponents with guns and other weapons to claim control over land. His involvement in these dangerous activities allowed him to receive financial rewards ranging from N60,000 to N150,000 per operation. He also secured almost a plot of land and had begun building a structure on it.
Though Oliver admitted to being involved with women and bringing them home, he denied the allegations of drug use and beating his son with a cutlass. He claimed the boy's injury was from falling out of a tree while plucking mangoes. He also insisted he took care of his son to the best of his ability, stating that the boy often lied.
Oliver’s case highlights the dangerous allure of cultism for financial gain and the tragic impact it can have on families, especially children. His confession sheds light on the intertwining of cultism and land grabbing in Nigeria, a combination that often leaves a trail of violence and broken homes.