Communities cry out over incessant killing, maiming, petition IG, CP

Posted by admin Nigerian Police, Ogun, State News Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

Villagers from nine communities of Oloke Alli in Ijebu-east Local Government Area of Ogun State, the boundary between Oyo and Ondo states have cried out over alleged killing and maiming of residents by a group of hoodlums.

Led by their traditional ruler, Baale Titilayo Odusanya, the affected communities, which include Oloke Alli Central, Owode Alli, Ajebo Oloke Alli, Olorunsogo Oloke Alli, Ajelanwa Oloke Alli, Temidire Oloke Alli, Ajegunle Oloke Alli, Kajola Oloke Alli and Orisunbare Oloke Alli, all in Ijebu-east Local Government Area of Ogun State, have also petitioned the minister for police affairs, the inspector general of police and the Ogun State commissioner of police to set up a special investigating panel to unravel the gruesome murder of members of the communities by a group of hoodlums, allegedly sponsored by one Gbenga Amballi.

Speaking on behalf of his people at a press conference addressed in Ibadan, Baale Odusanya said after two of the villagers were murdered in cold blood by the hoodlums, their lifeless bodies were taken to an unknown destination by the assailants.

He gave the names of those recently killed by the hoodlums as Ayobami Akintayo and Babatunde Salawu, adding that the incessant violent attacks had led to the sacking of eight communities under his domain, as villagers ran away for fear of being attacked by the hoodlums.
Baale Odusanya who came alongside wives of the slain farmers and some fleeing members of the communities added that after the incident was reported at Ogun State Police Command, Eleweran, Ambali was arrested and detained but his group continued to terrorise the communities, forcing many to flee.

He said, “after the arrest of Amballi, our people were happy, believing that their suffering and fear of untimely deaths had come to an end but the vigilante gang of Mr. Gbenga Ambali, led by Jimoh Egbetunji, Tajudeen Ejo, Sunday Ekan and Yekeen Ademola, have been boasting around the villages that they are arranging money for the purpose of bribing the police at Eleweran and that in due course the farmers’ suffering and apprehensions would be re-established.”
Bolanle, the widow of Ayobami, one of the slain farmers, while narrating her ordeals said: “I and my husband and some other farmers were on our way to the farm near Oni River when Gbenga Ambali and his thugs surrounded us with guns, cutlasses, charms and other dangerous weapons.

“Before we ran for our dear lives, there was a sound of gunshot. My husband, Ayobami Akintayo, fell down after he was hit by the bullets. All of us had to run for safety, leaving my husband in cold blood. Till today, I have not set my eyes on the corpse of my husband since October 13, 2010 when the bloody attack occurred.”

The mother of four, in an emotion-laden voice asked, “where is my husband? Yes, I know he has been killed, let me see his dead body and that all those who had hand in his killing to be brought to justice.”
As at the time of filing this report, efforts to speak with the Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi proved abortive as he did not pick his calls.

-Sunwp_posts