By OUR REPORTER
Thugs, armed with dangerous weapons have disrupted construction works at Pa Gabriel Oyinlola Modupe Layout, Aponmu along Ondo Road in Isinkan, Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The thugs numbering about 50, who were said to have allegedly been led to the area by the Sele of Akure, Chief Raphael Taiwo, assaulted workers working on the site.
The contractor of the project, Uduma Okpere, and the supervisor, Ogunmola Kunle Alayo, alleged that “the thugs who were led by one Sele said they came on the order of the Deji to beat the workers, they inflicted injuries on them with cutlass and different dangerous weapons.”
According to them, “A lot of them sustained varying degrees of injuries. During this infamous attack, lots of properties worth almost Three Million Naira (N3, 000,000) were destroyed.
“Also, the vehicle of the company on site was seized and when it was released money meant for the payment of workers which was kept inside the vehicle amounting to Six Hundred Thousand Naira(N600, 000) was carted away.
“After this horrendous attack, the victims were later bundled in the boot of the vehicles they brought and taken to the Deji’s palace.
“On seeing the horrible sights of the injuries inflicted on them, the Deji asked them to be taken to the hospital, paid their bills with the plea that the Iralepo must not be aware of the incident.
“All the phones of the victims were seized on the orders of the Deji and all the recordings on the phones were deleted but were later released.
“Among those attacked with injuries are: Ogunsusi Olumuyiwa, Ogunmola Olakunle and Wole Ogundolire,” they said.
In the meantime, the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola Olofin-Adimula, Arulewolasi III, has reacted to the development through a petition to Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN), the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state Commissioner of Police and copied other government officials and security chiefs in the state.
In the petition titled, “INCESSANT HARASSMENT, UNLAWFUL ARREST AND DETENTION OF ISINKAN PEOPLE BY HRM OBA ALADETOYINBO OGUNLADE ALADELUSI, THE DEJI OF AKURE, A SAVE OUR SOUL (SOS)”, the Iralepo said, “Sir, we wish to bring to your notice the incessant attacks on the subjects of our client on these lands. It is a great concern that the Deji is embarking on an imperialistic mission through constant harassment of my people and encroachment on these lands which naturally belongs to the Isinkan people under the traditional leadership of the Iralepo.
“Sir, we wish to bring to your notice that this is not the first time the Deji will sponsor this type of attacks and assault on the Isinkan people on their land.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Isinkan Community under the Iralepo as the Traditional Ruler, are from time immemorial, communal owners of all the piece and parcel of land known as Isinkan part of which is generally described as Ondo road up to Owena river in the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State under customary law as adjudged by Court of competent jurisdiction.
“The boundaries of Akure and Isinkan has been confirmed and accepted by all since time immemorial and under Customary Law and had never been contested by any Deji of Akure in history the territory of the Iralepo stretching from Imogun (St. Thomas’ Anglican Church) being the boundary with Akure at Arakale Street and westwards along Ondo Road up to Owena River.
“Sir, it is our plea to your esteemed office that the activities of the Deji and the miscreants who act as his thugs should be properly monitored to avert the breakdown of law and order in Isinkan, the state capital and the environs.
“It is our position that if the acts of the Deji is not checked with the constant and everyday harassment of the people on Isikan land, the people may not hesitate to take the laws into their hands to avert or avenge any harassment occasioned by the Deji and his bullies.”
Oba Olofin-Adimula asked that “Chief Raphael Taiwo, the Sele of Akure who led the attack on the Isinkan people should be arrested and prosecuted so that they should suffer the consequences of his actions.”
He said the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi should also be warned and deterred forthwith from illegal attacks on the people of Isinkan on their lands.
when contacted to give the side of his principal in the matter, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure, Mr. Michael Adeyeye, could neither deny nor dismiss the allegation.
The Deji’s palace was asked in a WhatsApp message from The DEFENDER dated 09/05/2023 at 19:29 directed to the CPS to comment. “Please as a matter of urgency, what happened again at Aponmu?” But, as at the time of filing this report, the only response he could give was to ask, “Today?”
He was further told, “My reporter on ground just sent his report and we are in product(ion). Will let it pass but await your reaction.” Adeyeye did not say anything further.
