Hakeem Gbadamosi, Akure
The traditional ruler of the coastal community of Ayetoro of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state, the
Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro, Oba Micah Ajijo, has raised the alarm over the invasion of his palace by some hoodlums who destroyed property worth millions of naira in an attempt to kidnap, kill him and to forcefully remove him from the throne.
The monarch, who raise the alarm in a letter to the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, identified a self-styled prophet in the community, Mr. Oluwanbe Ojagbohunmi, as the brain behind his travail, recalling that his predicament started shortly after he ascended the throne.
According to the monarch, despite the ruling of the Court declaring him as the traditional ruler and spiritual head of the community, Ojagbohunmi and his agents have been engaging in numerous actions in violation of the court, breaching the peace and security in the community.
Ajijo, in his letter to governor Akeredolu, Oba Ajijo, explained that “Ojagbohunmi and his gangsters held a meeting at his residence in the community where he expressed his determination to forcefully remove me from the throne.
“To organize and liaise with some criminals and kidnappers within an outside the community to invade the palace at night during the founder’s day of anniversary of the community and the church and kidnap Oba Ajijo to enable Ojagbohunmi to take over the leadership of the community and the Church”
He, however, said the plans were hatched on 3rd March, 2023, when the gangster invaded the palace with dangerous weapons, threatened to kill the monarch and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
The monarch stated that: ” the gangsters destroyed two houses built very close to the palace belonging to Mr. Tokunbo Olasile and Revd Iwasanmi Ajijo and the persons reported the cruel acts to destruction to the police authorities in Igbokoda, while the DPO expressed his helplessness in effecting arrest of the suspects because of the riverine terrain of the community.
“The Okitipupa Area Commander, Chairman of Ilaje local government and the Officer in Charge of 19 Battalion, Army Barracks, Okitipupa were subsequently alerted on the attack and destruction and they visited and confirmed the aforesaid criminal activities on March 5th, 2023.
“The passionate pleas of the aforesaid government and security officers to the gangsters fell on deaf ears and as soon as the officers left they again swooped on the Ogeloyinbo’s palace and destroyed the palace building with an attempt to kidnap the traditional ruler and it took the efforts of the Naval officers from the neighboring community to rescue the monarch”
He said the letter to the governor became necessary because ” looting of properties and threats to lives and properties and other criminal activities being perpetrated by Ojagbohunmi have continued unabated and there is no end at sight.
“So far, Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro has lost properties worth N200m to the criminal activities. It is important to note that the police have expressed their helplessness in arresting the situation or any of the suspects so far”
The monarch, however, demanded ” Urgent mobilization of a Joint Task Force to Ayetoro community to maintain law and order.
“A directive to the Commissioner of Police, Ondo state to urgently commence a thorough and decisive investigation of all the above incidences against Mr. Oluwanbe Ojagbohunmi who is also resident in Akure and his gangsters and the culprits made to face the wrath of a due process of law.
“To specifically provide an urgent and effective security apparati for the Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro both in his palace an in and around Ayetoro community to be able to bring back an enduring peace and sustainable development in the community even in the face of the ongoing ravaging sea incursion which has claimed more than half of the community’s land and properties”
Meanwhile, governor Akeredolu has set up a reconciliation committee to look into the frequent crisis occasioned by leadership tussule and by the oil spill compensation paid to Aiyetoro community.
A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the constitution of the committee by the Governor is aimed at finding lasting peace to the ravaging crisis in Aiyetoro community arising from the disagreement on issues that bother on leadership and oil spill compensation.
He listed members of the committee to Dr. Olawunmi Ilawole, as Chairman, Primate Afolabi Aboyewa as member and Mr. Uguoji Justice Brasin as Secretary of the Committee
He said “The committee Terms of Reference include but not limited to investigate the remote and immediate cause of the disagreement.
“Determine and work out amicable resolution on the oil spill compensation.
“To recommend appropriate strategies that will bring about lasting peace and development in the community and unite warring factions.
“Any other recommendations that the Committee deemed appropriate to ensure peace in the community”
He said the committee has three weeks to complete its assignment and report to the Governor.
