Kunle Adelabu
-Massive destruction wreaks on properties of political leaders, others at Anibaba
-Ayangbure, Adeboruwa sue for peace
Residents of Anibaba/Shikoya/Sholafun/Owode axis of Ikorodu on Saturday (yesterday) protested the security situation in their communities and Ikorodu generally.
To drive home their points, they embarked on protest to the Ikorodu Police Divisional Headquarters along Igbogbo road and the Ayagbure palace, stating that hoodlums are perpetrating havoc and making lives and properties insecure while appealing to the police and other security agencies for help.
They alleged that their areas have been under terror by hoodlums whom they alleged of breaking into their homes and shops to steal and harass them.
Members of the Onyabo Vigilance Group provided security for the concerned residents during the protest.
They carried several placards with inscriptions like “Say no to road blocks in Ikorodu”, “No more thuggery act in Ikorodu “, “Ayangbure save our souls”, “We need police support” and “Sanwo – Olu save our souls and properties”, among others.
Our reporter, who visited the Anibaba/Oshikoya/Sholafun/Owode community on Saturday, reported that while residents in other areas have started going about their businesses after the relaxation of the curfew by the government, those in these areas were still indoors as the communities remain largely deserted.
Only few men were seen outside while shops and homes were still under locks and keys .
Both Alhaji Olufowora Omotayo’s house and Alhaji Musliu Animamashaun property beside it were badly destroyed by hoodlums that invaded the area the previous day.
Also, Alhaji Animashaun’s house down the same street was also attacked and destroyed while the two jeeps inside it were completely burnt beyond repair.
There were also several points in the communities where tyres were burnt on many streets by residents toward off criminal elements.
THE IMPACT gathered that the alleged killing of a boy named Johnson at Anibaba junction by an unidentified police officer on Friday, October 23, 2020, sparked the attack on Alhaji Animashaun and Alhaji Olufowora’s homes.
We gathered that Johnson was killed around 8.0pm while the attack on the houses of the two political chieftains started around 9.00pm.
But a security source denied this stating that they had destroyed Alhaji Animashaun’s house and burnt his vehicles.
He added that the police only arrived after the destruction by hoodlums.
At the Ayangbure palace, Alhaji Raheem Mukaram, who spoke on behalf of the communities, said that residents and properties are no longer safe as hoodlums have taken over their areas.
He pleaded for the police, Onyabo and palace interventions in bringing sanity back to their communities.
“We are here to express our concerns in respect of the insecurity in our areas. We cannot sleep with our two eyes closed in the past few days.
“We have been experiencing unfortunate happenings in these areas. Suspected criminal elements have destroyed and burnt Alhaji Cubano’s vehicles and his properties elsewhere. Same at Alhaji Olufowora’s house.
“These hoodlums have also broken into several shops. It is the same thing at Hon SOB Agunbiade’s house.
“These people are shooting at all times, putting our community under great fear.
“These are what necessitated our protest to the police station to seek the support of the police while we also pledged our support for them. We are seriously in need of the police support to enable peace return to our communities.
“We are also here to lodge the same complaints to you, our father and the head of the community. Hoodlums have hijacked the situation because this is no longer EndSARS protest. We feel that without taking our concerns to the police and to you, our royal father, we cannot achieve this.
“We thank the police and men of the Onyabo Vigilance team for their support. Onyabo men have been on the ground since last week when we started experiencing the incidents. Thank God for them for helping us in securing our community.
“We are appealing that any of the suspects apprehended must be properly prosecuted”.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi , the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, while appealing to the protesters, assured them that their concerns will be reported to appropriate quarters.
He charged them to continue to be vigilant and not allow hoodlums to take over Ikorodu.
“I have read all your complaints on the placard that you are carrying. Let me assure you that all your complaints will be passed to appropriate quarters for action”, the royal father stated.
“I thank you for not taking laws into your own hands and for supporting our efforts in maintaining peace in Ikorodu.
“We have to be steadfast in ensuring that we do not allow these hoodlums to take over our community because we have nowhere else to go but to stay in our town”.
He reiterated the efforts of the palace in empowering young ones and supporting businesses of residents.
“We have put in place an endowment fund for young people in Ikorodu and those that have businesses. We have business loans to support your businesses and it is without interest.
“Any interested party should register through Lanre (Onyabo leader) since he is the one coordinating this protest.
“We have also been giving out palliatives which many have benefited and many we still do”.
While appreciating members of the Onyabo Vigilance team, Oba Shotobi also charged them to continue assisting the community in providing security for people and properties.
Meanwhile, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, on Saturday (yesterday) held a meeting with the stakeholders on how to prevent destruction of properties and killings in the community.
He met with the representatives of youth organizations, security formations, clubs and associations among others at the Adeboruwa palace.
The concerned monarch charged them to assist in curtailing the excesses of members of the rival cult groups who have been disturbing the peace in Igbogbo community.
