By Bose Adelaja

– Consternation over arrest of royal father

Ikorodu and its environs have not known peace in recent time due to the activities of land grabbers popularly called “Ajagungbale” whom residents claimed have made the area uninhabitable for them. For example, Oke-Ogbodo residents were recently at the premises of the  Lagos State House of Assembly to stage a protest over the activities of ‘’Ajagungbales”, claiming these individuals now constitute a serious threat to them, including raping minors in the area.

In the past few years, the community which comprises five local council development areas: Igbogbo-Bayeku, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Imota and Ijede local council development areas, have had it rough in the hands of these land grabbers, especially at Igbokuta, Oreta, Ogijo, Agunfoye, Bayeku, Ijede and Agura where hoodlums routinely take the law into their hands by unleashing terror on residents.

*One of the buildings deserted after land grabbers invaded Igbokuta.  PHOTO: Bose Adelaja

A particularly agonising moment was recorded at Oreta in December 2011 when land grabbers invaded the community. A primary four pupil, Titi Vechenu, an outpatient, woke up to the ensuing sporadic gun shots and in an attempt to escape to safety, drowned in the nearby ocean.

The activities of land grabbers, have forced many residents into exile, after some were either maimed or killed. The land grabbers have so far operated in defiance of the directive from the Lagos State government that the Nigeria Police should beef up security in this ancient town.

Another victim of their dastardly act, Akinrele Abiola, a civil servant, was kidnapped when land grabbers invaded Igbokuta. He almost lost his life in the process.

Also, Imowo-nla, a supposedly Ijebu settlement, used to be a very large community, that was until communal clashes broke out,  almost reducing the place to ruins after property and lives were lost, and  peace forced into exile.

Investigations revealed that the crises were orchestrated   by those who were supposedly sent there to maintain peace and ensure that normalcy returns.

War on trouble makers

Some concerned citizens in the town have, however, declared war on trouble makers, promising that peace will soon return to the town. One of them is Obateru of Egbin kingdom, Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo Akeem, who identified this as one of his priorities as soon as he was installed in April 2010.

According to findings, the royal father had immediately summoned two prominent land grabbers, Kamoru Lamina popularlly called ‘Sir K Oluwo’ and Alhaji Achebe, to his palace. Thereafter, he handed them over to his superior, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu land as well as the Area N Command. It was an action that brought relief to the community. But to the astonishment of many, the culprits were never tried in the court of law.

Having waited till year 2012, the traditional ruler dispatched a letter to the Lagos State governor, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly as well as the state Attorney General which was dated May 30, 2012 with the title, ‘’The menace of land grabbers a.k.a Ajagungbale in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State”.

In the early part of 2013, ‘’Sir K’’ was arrested by the men of Force C.I.D. Abuja and he was brought to Lagos to answer criminal charges relating to arson, robbery, rape and murder, among others. However, he was charged with altering and was released on bail, while the criminal charges were allegedly swept under the carpet. He was said to have threatened after regaining his freedom to unleash a reprisal attack on residents of the communities. He made good his threat.

Having waited without any positive response from the State government, the unrelenting royal father wrote another letter dated February 11 andApril 15, 2013, reminding it about the increasing menace of land grabbers in Ikorodu.

Arrest of Obateru

In May 2013, the crises in Imowo-nla led to the death of two policemen which spurred the Nigeria Police into action. Few weeks later, eight people, including the royal father, were arrested.

According to sources, the Egbin Kingdom had just celebrated its 14 days traditional Eeibi festival which drew many adherents, including the Olumale of Eluku in Imowo-nla.

Prior to that day, Imowo-nla residents had sent a Save-Our-Soul appeal to the state government which yielded no response. The traditional ruler then decided to use the  Council of Obas meeting with the Governor to present the plight of his people and he was promised adequate attention.

On May 22, 2013, the royal father received a call from the Area N commandant requesting his presence in the State Commissioner of Police’s office with ‘’Sir K’’ in attendance. But unknown to many, the land grabber had written a petition to the Commissioner of Police and this led to the detention of the royal father who spent weeks in Kirikiri.

Having been released on bail, some well-meaning Ikorodu residents are calling on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to step into the matter and ensure that justice is done.

A banker, Mr David Dideolu, who spoke with Vanguard Metro on phone, said the incessant attacks in the town had forced him into exile. ‘’As I am talking to you, I have relocated to my home town in Gbogan. With no  source of livelihood anymore,  feeding a family of four is now a big problem,’’ he said.

A 78-year-old farmer who relocated to a neighbouring community also has this to say: ‘’My daughter, I have many dependants; 15 of us relocated to this place and I feed them from my farm produce. The government should act fast and expose the brains behind our problem so that the community can continue to exist in peace’’.