Five people have been killed with more than 50
injured in a communal crisis which has engulfed Ajah Ilaje area of Lagos State
in the last few days over a move to change the name of the main street in the
town, and to resell already occupied large expanse of land.
Several people were also still missing as at the time of this report yesterday, while hundreds have been rendered homeless in the crisis which erupted after one Muka Abereoje allegedly tried to remain the town's main street to Odugbese Abereoje, after his late father.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Ilaje community, Rev. Oduwole Segun explained that Muka, whose late father, Ogungbese Abereoje, sold the land to the present residents of Ajah Ilaje, also allegedly wanted to demolish buildings on the large expense of land making up the town, with the aim of reselling. He was also believed to have the backing of Baale of Ajah Ijebu Murisiku Ojupon.
He said trouble started when Muka allegedly sent a letter to the Ilaje community saying he wanted to change the name of the main street, and if anyone or group had objection, such a person or group should write the government office responsible for street naming on or before 21days of the notice.
As a result, the Ilaje community took the case to the Local Government Chairman,who intervened and advised Muka against the renaming, while also passing on the issue to the Baale in council of Ajah to help settle it amicably.
It was gathered that shortly after, Muka allegedly also said he would be collecting 'levy' from tippers bringing sand into the Ilaje community, saying his family is the owner of the land. This case was also taken to the Baale-in-council,who resolved that for three days the Ilaje community would collect the 'levy', while the Muka family would collect for one day. This it was learngt allegedly did not go down well with Muka.
Things got to a head on November 26, when a son of Muka, Jamiu allegedly brought hoodlums into the community demolishing houses, shops and even destroyed the transformer given to the community by the state Government. During all of this, the team was allegedly led by the Baale of Ajah Ijebu, and the Chief Security Officer of Ajah Ijebu, Kola.
Several people were also still missing as at the time of this report yesterday, while hundreds have been rendered homeless in the crisis which erupted after one Muka Abereoje allegedly tried to remain the town's main street to Odugbese Abereoje, after his late father.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Ilaje community, Rev. Oduwole Segun explained that Muka, whose late father, Ogungbese Abereoje, sold the land to the present residents of Ajah Ilaje, also allegedly wanted to demolish buildings on the large expense of land making up the town, with the aim of reselling. He was also believed to have the backing of Baale of Ajah Ijebu Murisiku Ojupon.
He said trouble started when Muka allegedly sent a letter to the Ilaje community saying he wanted to change the name of the main street, and if anyone or group had objection, such a person or group should write the government office responsible for street naming on or before 21days of the notice.
As a result, the Ilaje community took the case to the Local Government Chairman,who intervened and advised Muka against the renaming, while also passing on the issue to the Baale in council of Ajah to help settle it amicably.
It was gathered that shortly after, Muka allegedly also said he would be collecting 'levy' from tippers bringing sand into the Ilaje community, saying his family is the owner of the land. This case was also taken to the Baale-in-council,who resolved that for three days the Ilaje community would collect the 'levy', while the Muka family would collect for one day. This it was learngt allegedly did not go down well with Muka.
Things got to a head on November 26, when a son of Muka, Jamiu allegedly brought hoodlums into the community demolishing houses, shops and even destroyed the transformer given to the community by the state Government. During all of this, the team was allegedly led by the Baale of Ajah Ijebu, and the Chief Security Officer of Ajah Ijebu, Kola.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ilaje
community, Rev. Oduwole Segun, however accused policemen at Ajuwe police
station in the community of complicity in the crisis, alleging that it was
immediately the policemen left their duty point that the hoodlums carried out
their action. A unit of the the Rapid Response Squad later came in, arresting
Muka, the Baale of Ajah Ijebu, Kola and four others. Maku was still being
detained by the police yesterday.
Compass
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