RESIDENTS of Ayetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have urged the state government and the state police command to set an commission of enquiry into the protracted kingship crises rocking the community.
The Chairman, Ayetoro Youth Council, Mr. Ajinde Iretolu, in a statement made available to journalists in Akure yesterday, lamented that some influential people in government are using paraphernalia of public office to intimidate the people.
Iretolu demanded the unconditional of release their prophet, Oluwambe Ojagbohunmi and some of their leaders, revealing that they were being apprehended to oppress and gag the people of the community.
He noted that four members of the community were wrongfully arrested by the police in connection to the attack launched on members of the community by hoodlums invited to the embattled Ogeleyinbo of Ayetoro community, Micah Ajijo.
Iretolu decried the detention of Ojagbohunmi, who is the Alakoso of the community, the Baba Ijo of Holy Apostles Church, Pa. Lawrence Lemamu; the community PRO, Mr. Akinluwa Victor and Mrs. Alabeni Bosede.
According to him, the community has been plunged into crisis by some unscrupulous indigenes of the community, who think they can impose their whims and caprices of the people for selfish interests.
“Ajijo forced himself on the community in contravention to the custom and tradition of the land, and the whole community rejects him as their Oba and Ogeleyinbo of the community. He has been fomenting troubles in the community.
“He, alongside others, who don’t even stay here on the island, is sponsoring all manners of illegalities and attacks against the people.”
The Youth Leader claimed that the last fracas was caused by the thugs, 20 in number, whom Ajijo invited from Lagos State and Igbokoda, the headquarters of the LGA, injuring over 30 people.
“The security agencies who came to restore peace in the community arrested Joseph Oniyesan, the leader of the gang who snatched the rifle of the mobile police officers deployed to restore peace and terrorized the people.
“Alongside other 19 hoodlums, Oniyesan was arrested in Ajijo’s house, where they sought refuge and engaged the naval officers in gun duel. They were overpowered and taken to Akure,” he said.
He revealed that the attack was planned by Ajijo and one Captain Aro, a soldier deployed to Ese-Odo LGA to implicate the community and implicate some leaders who opposed Ajijo’s ascension to the throne.
“They did it plan the attack to implicate some leaders of the community that are against Ajijo. But the tide went against them as their accomplice in the army missed their target.
“The Nigeria Navy arrived before the army to arrest the thugs who were seeking refuge in Ajijo’s house. In the process of arresting them, they exchanged gunshots with the naval officers and one Olu Obolo was shot.”
Iretolu, however, alleged that the 20 suspects arrested in Ajijo’s house were not arraigned in court on Monday by the police in Akure, protesting that only Ojagbohunmi was arraigned with trumped up charges.
“Ajijo and his cohorts are the ones troubling our Israel here in Ayetoro, but we are surprised why the police spared the Barnabas and prosecuting the prophet and our leaders unjustly?”
He urged the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the state Commissioner for Police, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju to wade into the crisis, clamouring for justice in the communal crisis.
“We want the state government and other government agencies to set up a commission of enquiry into these crises to get to the root of the problems and prosecute whoever are guilty.
“We are peace loving people, but we will resist every move to infringe on our fundamental human rights, customs and traditions of our forebears that are built on truth, justice and fear of God.”
