Rival Thugs Rob Sleepy Community Of Peace And Development

INCESSANT clashes in Ijoko community in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, allegedly linked to lingering Obaship tussle, have turned the sleepy community to a flash point.

In the last few years, scores of casualties have been recorded, majority of who were innocent people caught in the crossfire of clashes between the two rival groups.

Some of these thugs and their activities have cost owners of valuable item such as houses, cars and physical injury to persons.

The latest clash, which occurred on August 5, 2015 allegedly, claimed the lives of three people, and many injured, as thugs wielding guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons went on rampage before the intervention of the Sango-Ota Police Command.

Though the two monarchs-Oba Abdulfatahi Alani Matanmi and Oba Lasisi Aremu Ogunseye, who are in contention denied their involvement in the imbroglio, blaming the rival cult groups-Eiye and Aiye Confraternities, a resident who doesn’t want his name mentioned told The Guardian that the clashes are between thugs loyal to the two monarchs.

A total of over 40 people were reported dead in the last 10 years. Since 2006, the town had witnessed several clashes, with several lives lost in mysterious circumstances.

Last January, a 39-year old man, Jeje Oni was gunned down by some hoodlums, days after the palace of one of the monarchs, was allegedly razed by supporters of his counterpart. He was said to have been identified as a supporter of other group.

In April 2014, four people were reportedly killed in another clash between the rival groups, including an undergraduate student of the University of Ilorin. The killing forced residents to stage a protest to the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, calling on the governor to interfere.

At present, there is apprehension and fright that there might be reprisal attacks. Though normalcy seems to have returned when The Guardian visited, it was gathered that some residents have relocated to safer communities, to avert any calamity.

When the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi was contacted on phone, he confirmed the last attack, but claimed it was only one person that died. He noted that three people were arrested last Wednesday in connection with the killing and had been remanded in the police headquarters, Eleweran, noting that full investigation had begun on the issue.

When asked what the Command is doing to put an end to the endless crisis, Adejobi said, “Police cannot do anything concerning chieftaincy matter. The only thing is that we have men on ground to maintain law and order, the issue of Obaship should be handled by government, it is not our business.”