Kwara State Police Command has assured indigenes and residents of the Arandun community in the Irepodun local government area of the state to intervene in the communal crisis in the area towards arresting and prosecuting suspected troublemakers in the community.
It is recalled that the agrarian community had been engulfed in communal crisis following the alleged demolition of the Ile Oba Ibuoye architectural arch by a member of the community, identified as Gbenga Awoyale Odidere amidst counter allegations of intimidation by mobile police officers.
The architectural arch is said to symbolize the founder of the ancient town.
Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Okasanmi Ajayi, said that a report of purported intimidation by mobile policemen said to be attached to a member of the community was yet to get to the command.
The PPRO, who said that the IGP had directed the withdrawal of personal escort, especially of the police mobile force from individuals, especially VIPs, added that men of the special protection unit are still allowed to protect VIPs.
“At any time the report gets to the Commissioner of police, the identity of the said policemen would be unravelled, especially now that they were said to be on mufti,” he said
Speaking with the Tribune on Tuesday, concerned members of the Oba Ibuoye family cried out for help, saying that they were being intimidated.
The head of the Ibuoye family, Chief Sunday Ibuoye, said that a member of the family in particular, Alhaji Ibrahim Gbenga Ibuoye, was being threatened.
“Before now, peace was reigning in our land, until when a group of thugs destroyed the Oba Ibuoye Arch, which was erected at the entrance of the palace to symbolize the contribution of our forefather who was the founder of Arandun after he left Omu Aran many years back.
Counsel to Alhaji Ibrahim Ibuoye, Barrister Olayinka Dauda Jimoh, said that his client is a renowned businessman and miner, adding that he had written petitions to the IGP and CP in Kwara state to help unmask those behind the threat to live of his client.
“Attaching police personnel to our client by police authority is to protect his life and property and, by extension, to protect the community and its people. This is commendable.
“However, an allegation that these officers are always on mufti and created tension within the township is a way of calling a good dog a bad name so as to hang it on a rope. The allegation is absolutely false. As such, we urge the police authority to disregard the same.
“The security personnel has made it difficult for the thugs to attack our client. It’s, therefore, uncharitable for any man to call for their withdrawal when there is an attempt on life”.
Earlier, Gbenga Awoyale, on behalf of members of Orisun Igbomina, had cried out over alleged intimidation by men of the Nigeria Mobile Police Force (MPF) allegedly attached to the community leader.
He said that the community had recently petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the alleged intimidation of members of the Arandun community by the police escorts, said to be in the habit of shooting sporadically within the township of the community, thereby, created tension.
