Sunday Adelani Okewole Narrates His Ordeal In The Hands Of Daredevil Cultists, Who nearly took his life in Nigeria

 

March 17, 2020 

Sunday Adelani Okewole has narrated his ordeal in the hands of daredevil cultist who nearly took his life between year 2012 and year 2020.

I am single and 1 am 34 years old. I grew up as child in a Christian home. I attended various church activities from my childhood until I started my primary education to tertiary institution. I am a graduate of Electrical Engineering from University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Ogun state, Nigeria. My parents are Christian and they never get involved in any cult activity.

My life is still currently threatened by this cult group called Ayee. I learnt about Ayee cult when I was in university as an undergraduate because I lived in the same hostel with few members of Ayee cult group but different apartment. They knew me to be a devoted Christian due to my involvement in campus fellowship and church activities. My family and relatives had never been involved or attached to Ayee cult's group. They knew me to be a giver and my uncle sponsored me and gives me a lot of money for my school expenses. So I usually have enough money.

The fear of persecution remains vivid and ongoing. My hostel mate, Adeola, keeps me updated. warning me that the Ayee Cult is actively searching for me. He advised me to stay put and stay safe. When he asked what they wanted from me. I explained that they're pressuring me to join their group and participate in their activities.

On the 10th Assembly of October 2012, while walking back to my hostel with my fellowship friends, we encountered a meeting of the Ayee cult along a bush path. They mistook us for spies from a rival cult and accused us of eavesdropping. We were beaten, and they took all our valuables.

The whole situation happened in October, 2012.

During the chaos, I recognized Ayo, a fellow hostel resident. He instructed the others to focus on the rest of my group while he singled me out, claiming I would report them to the authorities. He was afraid that he would get in trouble especially since I recognized his face. I was beaten severely, to the point of vomiting blood. After the assault, I was taken to the campus clinic and recovered after a few weeks.

From then until 2016. I received threatening calls. The situation escalated on Saturday, the 10th of December, 2016, when Ayo informed his group that they needed to initiate me into their cult or face death. Around 4:30 p.m., a group of about 20 boys stormed my residence, declaring themselves as the Ayee cult and demanding that I take their oath of covenant. I refused, stating that as a Christian, I could not join them. Enraged, they attacked me again, inflicting serious injuries. I was helpless as they wielded guns and axes, with Ayo among them. 

Their leader said:

Forgiveness is a sin, don't betray your brotherhood in the hood, obey before complain or abeyance, he who price must pay and member are referred to as AYE AXE-MEN. I was left on the floor helpless that day because I couldn't get help from neighbors. When they left, my neighbor helped me to the nearest hospital (Heritage) immediately where I received immediate medical attention.

On the same day of the attack, I went to the police station to report the incident and seek protection. Unfortunately, the police informed me they required a bribe and refused to get involved in the Ayce cult's case. A few days later, I contacted my friend Ayo, pleading with him to leave me alone, emphasizing that I had no interest in their practices and that, as a Christian, it was against my beliefs. Ayo dismissed my plea, stating it was a "no going back" situation.

Unable to endure the threat any longer, I decided to travel to Lagos on December 15, 2016, to stay with my parents for safety. That night, the Ayee cult traced my address to Lagos and attacked my home in Meiran. We were beaten severely, and once again, everyone sustained injuries. They informed my father that their aggression was due to my refusal to join them. My father, who already had underlying health issues, was severely affected by the assault. He became unconscious and had to be rushed to the hospital, but he could not recover from the shock. His condition led to multiple organ failures, and he passed away on September 22, 2019. while I was still in the state.

The next morning, a casket was left at the entrance of our house with the inscription: "Your death is very near; there is no hiding place for you in Nigeria." Terrified, we couldn't sleep in the house that night. Feeling hopeless and unsafe, I realized that if the police could not protect me, 1 had no other options for safety in Nigeria.

I reached out to my cousin in Ibadan, sharing the details of my ordeal. He urged me to come to his house immediately. On January 5, 2017, I traveled to Oluyole Estate in Ibadan, Oyo State, to stay with him. While I was living with my cousin Olukunle Oyerogba, his friend, Mr. Gabriel Efunbajo, called from the USA. Olukunle took the opportunity to explain my situation to Mr.

Gabriel. Moved by my plight, Mr. Gabriel promised to help. He provided me with the necessary details to fill out the DS-160 form for a visiting visa. I completed the application and attended the visa interview on March 27, 2017, where my visa was granted. However, I was unable to travel until November 30, 2017, due to the difficulty of raising funds for my flight ticket.

I arrived in Maryland, USA, on November 30, 2017, and stayed with Mr. Gabriel Efunbajo.

Seeking asylum in the USA was not an option due to the restrictive policies of the previous administration, and retuming to Nigeria was too dangerous. While in the USA, 1 volunteered at Redeem Church from November 30, 2017, until November 4, 2019, when I decided to move to Canada.

On November 4, 2019, I arrived at Roxham Road in Quebec around 1:00 a.m. I met with RCMP and immigration officials and sought protection from the Canadian government. Tam pleading with the Canadian authorities for mercy, as returning to Nigeria poses a serious threat to my life.

I am deeply committed to my religion and now have a daughter who is a Canadian citizen. I wish to raise her here and not have her grow up knowing that her father was killed in Africa, as this would cause her immense emotional pain.

My siblings back home are also calling me to remain where I am because they are in fear of the threat that this cult group is putting forth a plan to track me down anytime, they set an eye on me in any part of the country. I also heard that one of the immigration officers who happens to be a friend of my sister mentioned my name to her that he has a brother who is a member of the cult group and they brought my name to him and my picture so that anytime they see me at the airport I should be detained and handed over to them. They actually offer him a reasonable amount of money to carry out the operation but due to one kindness my sister had done to him in the past so he secretly decline by not getting back to his brother.

I called the police back home again to report the matter and I was told to remain here in Canada because they have several similar cases that they couldn't resolve yet because of the nature of this evil society. I also heard from the officer that if I am outside the country I should not border to show my face because I would be in danger of torture by this evil cult group. He made a report officially about my concern and advised me to stay away from any part of Nigeria.

Since arriving in Canada, I have been struggling with severe psychological issues. Every night, I experience intense sweating and frequent awakenings due to constant fear of the cult group. My friend has noticed that I behave unusually and forget things that I used to remember easily.

Concerned, I scheduled an appointment with a registered psychologist.

On May 12, 2024. I was assessed by Dr. Mamoud in Brantford, who diagnosed me with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety, depression, and panic disorder. According to Yana Shcherbina, MA, Psy, RP, my symptoms are primarily due to the fear of being killed and the trauma I've experienced. Currently, I am undergoing medication and therapy through IG Vital Health to help me return to normal. I sincerely wish to make Canada my home and find the protection I need here.

Thank you so much.