4th February, 2011
Residents of Ijoko Ota, Ogun State, southwest Nigeria have been fleeing their homes in droves out of fear of attack by hoodlums suspected to be sponsored by a land speculator in the area.
P.M.NEWS gathered that anytime the land speculator was within the precinct of Ijoko town, the residents are usually scared of being attacked by his thugs.
In the past, residents were attacked, maimed or killed by his thugs. Since April 2010, one of the victims, Monsuru Ogunseye has been missing. He was allegedly kidnapped by thugs suspected to be working for the land speculator.
The land peculator was said to be entangled in a chieftaincy dispute with the people of Ijoko. Several cases were instituted in the courts. But there has been no solution to the lingering communal crisis in Ijoko ota.
The residents have appealed to the Ogun State government and security agents to save the people of Ijoko Ota from further mayhem.
The town had witnessed a lot of crises since 2006 when a dispuate arose over the obaship stool in the town.
According to the residents, Ijoko town had witnessed peace since the land speculator was away but immediately information went round the town that he was around, there was confusion.
They call on government to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis in Ijoko Ota.
—Dedeigbo Ayodeji