Land grabbers invade Ogun community, two missing

When thugs believed to be land grabpers broke into the neighborhood on Friday afternoon, two people—Wale Oyedeji and Ibrahim Shagari—in the Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State—were reported missing.

Rev. Olatunji Abiodun Akinyemi, the head of the Akinyemi Ogundimu family and a community leader, revealed this to Vanguard in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. He accused Adelakun Sulaiman of masterminding the attack and claimed it was a result of a long-running land dispute in the community.

Akinyemi claimed that Adelakun led armed goons to raid the Ijere Onigbedu neighborhood via Mowe, leaving two family members, Wale Oyedeji and Ibrahim Shagari, in custody despite the fact that Adelakun is now being prosecuted at the Chief Magistrate Court, Owode Egba.

In a viral video cited by our Correspondent, thugs numbering about 20 were seen with dangerous weapons, including cutlass, shooting sporadically.

The community leader accused Adelakun of threatening to kill him if the Ogundimu family refused relinquish ownership of the land, while carrying out attacks on the community.

Rev. Akinyemi said, the family has obtained judgement from a High Court in the State in favour of the family, while an Appeal Court has also affirmed the judgement.

He said, “We have obtained a High Court judgment and an Appeal Court judgment in our favour, affirming our rightful ownership of the land.

Though, Adelakun is currently facing criminal charges at the Chief Magistrate Court, Owode Egba. Despite this he led a group of armed thugs and invaded our community.

The family said despite his criminal record and ongoing court case, Adelakun has continued to wreak havoc, and his latest attack has left the community in fear.

He added, “Adelakun, a notorious land grabber and thug, has continued to harass and intimidate us, using a group of youths from the community whom he has recruited and armed.

“Adelakun and his gang have escalated their criminal activities, even resorting to robbery and stealing valuable belongings from one of our community members.

“Sulaiman Adelakun’s modus operandi involves the use of firearms, including guns loaded with live cartridges, to intimidate and harm anyone who dares to oppose him during his violent attacks.

He described Adelakun’s action as threat to peace and security in the state, saying that his continued freedom ‘is a slap on the face of justice’.

“While we appreciate the efforts of the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, and his team, who have tried to intervene, more needs to be done to ensure our safety and security in the community.”

Another reliable source in the community, who doesn’t want his name mentioned, alleged that Adelakun has a history of violence and intimidation, stressing that he has been using his thugs to terrorize communities and take over their land.

Rev. Akinyemi has therefore appealed to Ogun State government to take decisive action to checkmate the excesses of Adelakun in order to prevent further violence and bloodshed in the community.

“Government should see Adelakun as a security risk and deal with him decisively, to prevent further violence and bloodshed.

“We are demanding that the government and the security agencies should take immediate action to protect us from Adelakun’s terror and ensure that he faces the full wrath of the law.”

Efforts to get reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola prove abortive, as calls and messages sent to her phone were not responded to as at the time of filing this report.