The Oyo State Government has proscribed an Islamic group, Arsunah, in Iseyin area of the state over alleged rape, murder and slavery.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Taiwo Otegbeye, said on riday that the government considered the existence of the sect as a threat to the society.
The government cited their inhuman and ruthless activities as the basis for the ban, which was endorsed by the state Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
He said, 'The Oyo State Executive Council has confirmed the proscription of an Islamic sect, Arsunah, which has its camp on Kilometre 5, Ibadan/Iseyin Road. Governor Ajimobi had directed that the Islamic sect, headed by Yunus Adefabi, must not exist any longer because of its nefarious activities. The activities of the sect include rape, murder and attempted murder.
'The governor has the power under the state criminal code to proscribe any association or society that is not working within the confines of laws of the state and he has used this power to ban the sect even as requested by the people of Iseyin council area.'
Otegbeye said the sect had existed for a number of years but allegation of their despicable activities came to the fore after they occupied the portion of land from where they ran the camp.
'We noticed this group a few months ago after the people of the area called the attention of the state to its activities. The state government took action immediately and investigated the group's activities, which revealed loads of inhuman actions which also included slavery. The state will not watch while some people hide under religion to terrorise its people. The major actors are in court already.'
Asked if the state had not pre-empted court decision by quickly proscribing the group without waiting for judgment, Otegbeye said it was a matter that required prompt intervention as waiting for the court proceeding could lengthen the suffering of the people in the hands of the sect.
'We do not want to experience a resurgence of a sect similar to Boko Haram. Oyo State is a peaceful place to live and the government is ready to protect lives and property of its people,' he said.
