BY DAUD OLATUNJI

ABEOKUTA — Residents of about 33 villages in Ijoko, Ado‑Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have reportedly fled their houses following an invasion by gunmen believed to be land speculators.

The affected villages were said to have been under constant attack by the gunmen who reportedly demanded huge money from the villagers at gunpoint.

Speaking on behalf of other village chiefs in Ijoko, one of the Baales, Rasaq Salami, lamented that their lives are in danger as they could not sleep with two eyes closed.

Chief Salami, who spoke with Vanguard shortly after an emergency meeting with all the heads of the villages in Ijoko yesterday, said many of their people have fled their homes because of fear of another attack, and appealed to the security agencies in the state to come to their rescue.

According to him, “we are in need of Police help, because all the villages numbering about 33 have been under constant attacks by these gunmen.

“They come on bikes, three on each. They threaten us with guns if we refuse to give them money and those who could not give them money would be seriously beaten. The Police and other security agencies should help us before we are all killed and wounded.”

However, attempts to get reaction from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached.