By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
ABEOKUTA: Fear – stricken villagers and residents of Ibokoland in Makogi Kingdom, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area have fled their farms and homes for hours in search of safety elsewhere following the invasion of their community by people suspected to be notorious land grabbers.
The land grabbers who were said to have stormed the Makogi Kingdom last week along with over a dozen of armed hoodlums despite the existence of Ogun State law criminalising land grabbing with attendant stiff penalties for offenders, they subjected the villagers to a reign of terror with sporadic gun shots.
Many fled in panic as the attackers stomped on farm lands.
Presently, the traditional ruler and Olu of Makogi Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Akanni Sonola is accusing one Sule Oloriodo and Alale, who claimed to be the Personal Assistant to the state chairman of Articulated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN), Ogun state branch, Otunba Taofeek Sokoya, aka “Danku” of leading the hoodlums to the community since last week.
Oba Sonola claimed that the attackers terrorised the community with “dangerous weapons like guns, cutlasses and charms with the residents of the area scampering for safety.”
The concerned monarch is also calling Ogun state government to come to the rescue of Makogi community from the siege of fully armed land grabbers haranguing residents, ostensibly to forcefully and illegally evict them from their ancestral possessions.
•The Olu of Makogi, Oba Babatunde Sonola.
Narrating the ugly incident to reporters at the weekend, Oba Sonola explained that the land grabbers hiding under the disguise of hoodlums and cultists numbering over 200 invaded Ibokoland, the site of a farmland, destroyed rice farm and started shooting sporadically in an attempt to chase the residents away.
The monarch said that when the issue was reported to him, the community immediately reported the case at the police station in Ibafo, expressing shock that the station is yet to respond to the distressed call from the community.
He revealed that a petition had been written and submitted to the office of the Commissioner of Police at Ogun Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Eleweeran for necessary action to prevent a bloodbath in Makogi community.
He said further that after his investigation on the reason for the invasion, he noticed that they came illegally for the possession and ownership of Ibokoland saying that his forefathers are the rightful owners of the farmland with a court judgement on it.
He appealed to the state government to direct the state chairman of AMORAN, Otunba Sokoya to call his boys to order so as to prevent the possible breakdown of law, for peace to reign in the community.
“According to my further findings, one of the hoodlums, one Alale who claimed to be the Personal Assistant of the state chairman of AMORAN that he led his boys to the land alleged that they are on the mission from instruction of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, which I am sure that the information is not true, just name dropping to create fears on the innocent people” Oba Sonola said.
Oba Sonola described the residents of Makogi Kingdom as law abiding and peaceful people, urging the security apparatus in the state to intervene as a matter of urgency so as to forestall any security breach in the community and beyond.
He called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to intervene in the peaceful atmosphere of Makogi community that has been threatened by these land grabbers.
The monarch appealed to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, as the chief security officer in the state to direct all the security apparatus to the community so as to quickly stem the violence ocassioned by these land grabbers.
While commending the state government for the job done so far in the last six years in the transformation of the state, the monarch expressed his joy for the recent award of road contract from Magboro under bridge to Iboko farmland.
He therefore urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to come to the rescue of the community from the hands of these land grabbers that have been terrorising the entire community to ensure smooth and speedy work of the contractors working on the road, and also to protect life and property of the residents of the community in the overall interest of peace in the state.
The Daily Crucible tried to get the reaction from the spokesperson of Ogun State Command of the NPF, CSP Omolola Odutola, without success as the message sent to her was yet to be attended to as of 8.25pm on Sunday.
However, when contacted, Otunba Taofeek Sokoya, popularly known as “Danku,” disclaimed the alleged leaders of the invading hoodlums and their activities.
Danku who is the State Chairman of AMORAN in Ogun State, told The Daily Crucible that the disclaimer became necessary following the allegations made against individuals bearing the names Sule Oloriodo and Alale, who falsely claimed to be his Personal Assistants.
He categorically denied any involvement in or authorization of any activities involving hoodlums or any form of violence, including sporadic shootings, in any community, dismissing the allegations as entirely false and not in accord with his character, position or values of the AMORAN.
He said, “I, Otunba Taofeek Sokoya, popularly known as “Danku,” the State Chairman of AMORAN in Ogun State, hereby issue this formal disclaimer regarding the allegations made against individuals bearing the names Sule Oloriodo and Alale, who have been falsely claimed to be my Personal Assistants.
“To the best of my knowledge, I do not know anyone by the names Sule Oloriodo or Alale, nor have I appointed them as my Personal Assistants. Furthermore, I categorically deny any involvement in or authorization of any activities involving hoodlums or any form of violence, including sporadic shootings, in any community. These allegations are entirely false and do not represent my character, position, or the values of AMORAN.
“I urge the public to disregard any claims associating me or AMORAN with such unlawful activities. I remain committed to peace, order, and the well-being of all residents in Ogun State.”
