The Anisere-Ipamesan Community Development Association, Sango/Ota, Ogun State, has raised the alarm over alleged harassment and intimidation, by a Naval personnel (name withheld), of residents of the community.
In a petition written to the Chief of Naval Staff entitled: “Harassment, intimidation, threats to life and general conduct unbecoming of officers and gentlemen by Naval personnel in Sango/Ota.
The petition, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, disclosed that the Naval personnel was in the habit of aiding and abetting the activities of land grabbers and speculators in Sango/Ota.
The petition, was also sent to the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2; the Commandant, Nigeria Navy School of Music, Ota, and the Police Area Commander, Sango.
The leaders of the community said that the Naval personnel had continued to cause breach of peace in the area, by engaging in acts of misconduct, adding that several complaints had been made on the personnel and some other officers and men to the Commandant, Nigerian Navy School of Music, Ota had yielded no result.
The petition reads: “Since last year in Sango Ota, the presence of Naval personnel is likened to that of the proverbial masquerade that threatens both the old and the young with imminent death or maiming.
“It is so bad that land grabbers, area boys and even parties in chieftaincy titles now secure the services of Naval personnel to instill fears in innocent Nigerians by maltreating opponents.
“Without being immodest, one continues to wonder if it is the duty of Naval personnel to follow land speculators and even become their errand boys in the present day Nigeria. Must the officers and men of the Nigerian Navy be turned into thugs and omo oniles because of the financial inducement attached to it?
“As if that was not enough, on October 29, 2016, the Naval personnel attached to the local government for environmental sanitation duties, immediately after the exercise, stormed Aranse/Anisere community and started shooting and disturbing the community on the pretence that they were invited by a group to assist them over land issues.
“The presence of the Navy School of Music to us is a welcome thing; it is a development that had added value to our social lives and perception of the Navy.
“This good aspect is being eroded by certain elements within the men and officers who are bent on taking financial gratification and act in ways contrary to the Ordinance of the Nigerian Navy.”
and then