Ondo monarch cries out over alleged kidnap plot

The Osemawe of the Ondo kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Victor Kiladejo, has urged old students to give their alma mater a facelift by embarking

Ondo monarch cries out over alleged kidnap plot

A monarch of the coastal community of Ayetoro of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state, the Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro, Oba Micah Ajijo, has cried out over alleged plot to invade his palace by some hoodlums who vandalized property worth millions of naira in an attempt to kidnap, kill him and to forcefully remove him from the throne.

Tribune reported that the traditional ruler raise the alarm in a letter to the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Ajijo alleged that a self-acclaimed prophet in the community, Mr. Oluwanbe Ojagbohunmi, is responsible for his travail, revealing that his trouble started shortly after he ascended the throne.

The monarch said, despite Court judgement in his favour as the traditional ruler and spiritual head of the community, Ojagbohunmi and his agents have been disturbing the peace of the community in violation of the court order and undermining the security of the community.

In his letter to governor Akeredolu, Oba Ajijo claimed that “Ojagbohunmi and his gangsters held a meeting at his residence in the community where he expressed his determination to forcefully remove me from the throne.

“To organize and liaise with some criminals and kidnappers within an outside the community to invade the palace at night during the founder’s day of anniversary of the community and the church and kidnap Oba Ajijo to enable Ojagbohunmi to take over the leadership of the community and the Church.”

He disclosed that the hoodlums invaded the palace with dangerous weapons on March 3rd, threatened to kill the traditional ruler and vandalize property worth millions of naira.

The monarch said, ” the gangsters destroyed two houses built very close to the palace belonging to Mr. Tokunbo Olasile and Revd Iwasanmi Ajijo and the persons reported the cruel acts to destruction to the police authorities in Igbokoda, while the DPO expressed his helplessness in effecting arrest of the suspects because of the riverine terrain of the community.

“The Okitipupa Area Commander, Chairman of Ilaje local government and the Officer in Charge of 19 Battalion, Army Barracks, Okitipupa were subsequently alerted on the attack and destruction and they visited and confirmed the aforesaid criminal activities on March 5th, 2023.

“The passionate pleas of the aforesaid government and security officers to the gangsters fell on deaf ears and as soon as the officers left they again swooped on the Ogeloyinbo’s palace and destroyed the palace building with an attempt to kidnap the traditional ruler and it took the efforts of the Naval officers from the neighboring community to rescue the monarch.”

Explaining why he wrote the letter to the governor, he said, ” looting of properties and threats to lives and properties and other criminal activities being perpetrated by Ojagbohunmi have continued unabated and there is no end at sight.

“So far, Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro has lost properties worth N200m to the criminal activities. It is important to note that the police have expressed their helplessness in arresting the situation or any of the suspects so far.”

In order to ensure his safety, the monarch, however, requested ” Urgent mobilization of a Joint Task Force to Ayetoro community to maintain law and order.

“A directive to the Commissioner of Police, Ondo state to urgently commence a thorough and decisive investigation of all the above incidences against Mr. Oluwanbe Ojagbohunmi who is also resident in Akure and his gangsters and the culprits made to face the wrath of a due process of law.

“To specifically provide an urgent and effective security apparati for the Ogeloyinbo of Ayetoro both in his palace an in and around Ayetoro community to be able to bring back an enduring peace and sustainable development in the community even in the face of the ongoing ravaging sea incursion which has claimed more than half of the community’s land and properties.”

Reacting, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde stated in a statement that the constitution of the committee by the Governor is aimed at finding lasting solution to ravaging crisis in Aiyetoro community occasioned by disagreement on issues that bother on leadership and oil spill compensation.

Governor Akeredolu set up a reconciliation committee headed by Dr. Olawunmi Ilawole, Primate Afolabi Aboyewa as member and Mr. Uguoji Justice Brasin as Secretary of the Committee, giving the three weeks to complete its investigation and submit the report to the Governor.

He said, “The committee Terms of Reference include but not limited to investigate the remote and immediate cause of the disagreement.

“Determine and work out amicable resolution on the oil spill compensation.

“To recommend appropriate strategies that will bring about lasting peace and development in the community and unite warring factions.

“Any other recommendations that the Committee deemed appropriate to ensure peace in the community.”