Residents of Alapoti, Olorunleke, and Olorunshola communities in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State experienced a frightening ordeal when suspected landgrabbers invaded their communities on Friday.
According to eyewitnesses, the invaders, numbering about 50 and armed with various weapons, including firearms, stormed the communities in the morning. They began shooting sporadically, causing panic among the residents who fled to safety.
One resident, Alfa, described the chaotic scene, stating that the armed men cordoned off the area, leading to the closure of businesses and shops.
It was later discovered that the invaders had stolen seven motorcycles belonging to commercial motorcyclists who had fled the area to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
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Another resident, Saka Kolawole, took to social media to report that five communities, including Alapoti, Asipa, Alaagba, Olorunleke, and Olorunshola, were affected by the invasion, leading to a complete halt in business activities and movement in the area.
Responding to the incident, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Ogun State Governor, Emmanuel Ojo, assured that the state government would investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, stated that she had not been briefed on the incident. However, a senior police officer in the area confirmed the invasion but declined to provide further details, citing a lack of authority to speak to the press.
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This incident is not the first of its kind in Ogun State, as similar cases of land grabbing have been reported in the past.
In February, six suspected landgrabbers were arrested in the Kajola area of the state, with locally made pistols and substances suspected to be Indian hemp recovered from them. The suspects had attacked a village, wielding dangerous weapons and intimidating villagers.