By: Kingsley Omonobi

Following a disagreement between the people of the Ayegunle Community and Oge Community both in Okeagbe, Akoko, Ondo state and bloody attacks over land ownership, the traditional ruler of the Oge community has fled to Lagos for safety over threats to his life.

This is just as the Oge community have 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 the Ayegunle community.

According to the letter sent by Chief Wale Dickson for the Oge community, Ayegunle is a small quarter in Akoko, it is dragging ownership of 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 wildfire being struck over the conflict with the people of Ayegunle.

“Some individuals within Ayegunle quarters have decided to use illegal and violent 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 a 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 objects 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 there for the safety of his life

On the role of the Police, said, “The community petitioned the IGP through their Counsel DrJ.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 the investigation is still ongoing, the Hon Member of the House of Representatives representing their constituency came to plead with the Police to allow him to wade into the matter and settle them since they are both from his constituency which they obliged him.

“But he has failed to fulfil 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 withheld) 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,

“One Mr Sunday Onileowo was taken away and is still in Police detention in Akure for more than 4 days now.

“The people of Oge Kingdom are now protesting and 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 AIG Zone 17, Akure is now doing his conflicting duty”.