Kunle ADELABU
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu
After months of leadership crisis within the Onyabo Vigilance Group following the demise of its erstwhile leader,Chief Kamorudeen Bombata, Chief Rafiu Onilegboro has emerged the Divisional leader of the community security outfits.
Members of the group have resolved their differences which polarized the local security group in the last one year and also resolved to work together under one umbrella.
It was gathered that Olalekan Pelu(a. k. a. Rado) and Rafiu Jisoro were elected as General Secretary and Treasurer respectively and they will work with the new leader of the group.
The settlement parley, which was held at the Ayangbure palace on Thursday, June 6, 2019, was at the instance of HRM Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, who initiated the peace move to unite various factions of the local security group.
THE IMPACT gathered that the combatants also agreed to collapsed their individual groups and unite under the Onyabo Vigilance Group which will exist under the Ikorodu Security Council (ISC) constituted by Oba Shotobi.
Members of the ISC were Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Chairman, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho, Agbaakin of Ikorodu, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, publisher, Oriwu Sun, Alhaji Sulaimon, Ajiroba of Ikorodu, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Chief Fatai, the Apena of Ikorodu and the Olumale Eluku of Ikorodu.
The monarch was said to have expressed his displeasure at the turn of things within the security organization and the security situation in Ikorodu.
He charged members of the group, which has been responsible for curtailing the excesses of the cult groups and other criminalities , to rededicate themselves to get rid of criminal elements in Ikorodu.
Oba Shotobi insisted that the crack within the organization must be addressed for unity to prevail in order to compliment the efforts of the Nigerian Police and other security formations in the division to tackle cultism and other crimes that are now giving Ikorodu bad image.
The traditional ruler also assured that the community is working towards setting up insurance for the group and put in place welfare package for its members.
Oba Shotobi donated N500, 000. 00 for the operation of the local vigilance group.
Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Chairman, Ikorodu Security Council, also appealed to the members of the group to work as one entity in the interest of the division.
He explained the composition and structure of the Security Council as constituted few years back to the members of the group and others present.
Chief Olusanya pledged to donate N50, 000. 00 to the operation of the group every month as long as Onyabo continue to exist as a group that is committed to the protection of lives and properties in Ikorodu.
The Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, while also speaking at the event, appealed to members of the group to accept truce and dictate of Oba Shotobi and entirety of the people who are calling on them to rise up to the occasion to save their lives and properties.
While pledging N250, 000. 00, the Council Chairman also assured the royal father, members of the Security Council and others at the meeting that he would liaise with the lawmaking arm of the Council to ensure that Onaybo group is given a legal backing in form of bye law.
Others that donated towards the operation of the group for effectiveness in policing Ikorodu and its environs were Engr. Wasiu Olokunola (N250, 000. 00) , Otunba (SIR) Ayodele Elesho(N50, 000.), Alhaji Monzor Olowosago (N50, 000) and Alhaji M. Ola Akinsanya, the owner of Ule Eiye Event Centre (N250, 000. 00) .
THE IMPACT also gathered that it was stated at the parley that other officers of the group will be elected at the next meeting.
One of the patrol vans that were retrieved from the security group during the leadership crisis was officially presented to Chief Onilegboro by Oba Shotobi for his operation as the leader of the group.
Among factions of the Onyabo that were united at the meeting were the Lanre faction, Late Bombata (Baba Ruka) faction , Hon. Matthew faction among others.
It was also gathered that the groups also denounced a chieftain of the group who has been parading himself as the leader of the group following the death of Chief Kamorudeen Bombata.
The estranged chieftain was alleged to have defied the palace when it ordered that the different groups should submit the Onyabo properties in the care for harmonization and resolution of conflicts few weeks back.
THE IMPACT also gathered that the said chieftain has also instituted a legal action against the royal father for the encroachment of his fundamental human rights.
All efforts to reach the estranged Onaybo chieftain proved abortive as at the press time.
… Ikorodu Local Govt’s Efforts In Settling Onyabo Vigilance Group Crisis
It was gathered that the Executive and Legislative Arms of the Ikorodu Local Government had intervened in the crisis rocking the Onyabo Vigilance group with a view to settling it.
THE IMPACT gathered that the political functionaries resolved at a meeting on Monday, May 27, 2019, to intervene and unite various factions of the group.
A committee, headed by Mr Morufu Jokomba, was constituted by the Council Chairman in conjunction with the Councilors for the purpose. .
Other members of the committee were Alhaji Taiwo Longe, Chairman, APC in Ikorodu, Hon. Adebowale Ajayi, Deputy Leader, Ikorodu LG Legislative arm, Hon. Omotayo Awolesi, the Majority Leader, Ikorodu LG Legislative arm, Hon. Oshodi Olohunwa, Councilor representing Ward B and Mr Shakiru Sowemimo, Supervisory Councilor.
The committee met with the Late Chief Kamoru Bombata faction on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, and had very useful engagements with the leaders and members of the group at the meeting which was held at the Legislative Chamber located within the premises of the Ikorodu Local Government .
On Thursday, May 30, 2019, the committee met with the faction led by Mr Lanre Olabinjo/Olalekan Pelumi .
We also gathered that Chief Rafiu Onilegboro appeared before the committee on Monday, June 3, 2019.
The committee, according to report, is also in discussion with the Chairman of the Security Council, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, on how to meet and resolve the matter.
