Following the destruction of farmlands belonging to Oge Community and burning of farm produce such as Yam, Cocoyam, Maize and Cassava by suspected agents of Ayegunle community in Akoko, Ondo state over land tussle, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has been urged to urgently intervene to avoid a bloodbath.
Already, the Oge Community/Kingdom has petitioned the Inspector General of Police on the provocative actions of the Ayegunle community onv22/05/2020 with the office of the IGP replying vide Ref:....dated 9/6/2020...
However, in a counter action, the Ayegunle Community went to the Zone 17 Police Command, Akure to lay a complaint against Oge Community resulting in Police from the Zone storming Oge community and arresting one Mr. Sunday Onileowo on Thursday June 20, 2024 and taking him to Akure.
A statement by Dr. Johnson Oyewole on behalf of Oge community said the Police stormed the Oge community on 20 June,2024 and began to search for whom to arrest, assaulting and disturbing the peace of the community and finally took away Mr Sunday Onileowo to Akure and detained until the community embarked on peaceful Protests the following day which made the police to release the man.
He added that the Zone 17 Command is still threatening a mass arrest of indigenes of Oge community over the land tussle.
Continuing, Dr Johnson Oyewole told newsmen that, 'Presently the Oge community/Kingdom is in turmoil and needs urgently intervention by the police, it is imperative that if timeous intervention of the IGP is not carried out, the actions of the a Former Council Boss and his loyalists will surely lead to a serious Breach of the peace and order in the entire community"
Dr Oyewole recalled that following the outbreak of the conflict on the land tussle and attack on a farmer, Oge community reported the matter of Ayegunle tresspassing into their land to the Police Station in Okeagbe.
The police advised the victim to go back and observe the actions of the perpetrators and to report back to them which he did, only to discover that an agent of one the leaders from Ayegunle community was armed with a Dane gun and cutlass and sent by his boss to kill the victim.
The police consequently arrested the agent. In addition, another 4 armed men were said to have been sent to another farmland belonging to one Mr Adeyemi Taiwo & Kehinde where in they reported to the police.
They all confessed to have been sent by a former Council Boss in the area and the Division Police officer advised them to channel their complaint to the Area Commander, Ikare for discreet investigation which they did.
However, the suspects still refused to turn up or honour the Police investigation. It is upon this premise that the Oge Kingdom petitioned the office of thr IGP.
"It was when the suspects got wind of the petition to IGP, that they connived with some Policemen in Zone 17, Akure and formed an unholy alliance by storming Oge Kingdom on Thursday 20 June, 2024.
Reiterating the need for the intervention of the IGP, he said the provocative actions being perpetrated against the King, Chiefs and People of Oge Kingdom must stop forthwith to prevent a serious Breach of the peace and order in the entire community.
Recall that following the disagreement between the Ayegunle Community and Oge Community both in Okeagbe, Akoko, Ondo state and bloody attacks over land ownership, the traditional ruler of Oge community has since flee to Lagos for safety over threats to his life.
The Oge community has also sent a 'save our lives' letter to the Inspector general of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to save them from constant attacks and destruction of their property by alleged agents of Ayegunle community.
The letter by Chief Wale Dickson, the second highest ranking Chief in Oge community disclosed that Ayegunle, a small quarters in Akoko, is dragging ownership of a land with the people of Oge Kingdom who are the original owners.
"After several attempts at a peaceful resolution failed, the Division Police waded into the matter but the efforts was incapable and insufficient to stern the tide of the wild fire being struck over the conflict with the people of Ayegunle.
"Some individuals within Ayegunle quarters have decided to use illegal and violence means to keep people of Oge Kingdom away from the disputed land by causing grievous bodily harm and assault on their victims and thereby constituting breach of public peace and an attempt to cause Communal War" Chief Dickson alleged
He disclosed that in 2020 some inhabitants of Oge Kingdom who were returning from the farm at about 2:45pm, were attacked allegedly by the people of Ayegunle with dangerous object such as guns, cutlasses and charms with an attempt to kidnap and abduct them using a bus without plate number.
"These Criminal War Merchants have threatened and are still threatening to kidnap His Royal Highness of Oge Kingdom, Oba Alexander Sanuolu Jimoh, The Owage of Oge kingdom Okeagbe Akoko North/West Ondo State who escaped to Lagos and has been ruling from their for the safety of his life
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On the role of the Police, hebsaid, "The community petitioned the IGP through their Counsel Dr J.Oyewole dated 22/05/2020 and the IGP replied vide ref CB:7000/IGP:SEC)ABJ/VOL 483/634 dated 9/5/2020 and directed the Special Tactical Squad to deal.
"The suspects were arrested but while investigation is still ongoing, that the Hon Member of the House of Representatives representing their constituency came to plead with the Police to allow him wade into the matter and settle them since they are both from his constituency which they obliged him.
"But he has failed to fulfill his promise and neither reported back to the police since then, till date.
"Rather, the suspects formed another cabal led by a former chairman of their Local Government area (name witheld) and connived with the police in Zone 17, Akure (allegedly), stormed the Oge Kingdom on 20 July, 2024 where they reportedly scattered the whole community, intimidating, threatening and illegal arrest of citizens, assault and causing breach of peace,
"The people of Oge Kingdom are now calling on the IGP to come to their rescue as the current petition dated 6th June 2024 is still on the IGP table while the Zone 17 Police Command, Akure is now doing a contrary duty".
