Court remands 15 over alleged attack on Aagba Community in Oyo

An Oyo State Magistrates’ Court sitting in the Orile-Igbon Magisterial District, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, on Thursday ordered the remand of 15 persons accused of attacking Aagba village in the Surulere Local Government Area.

The accused were arrested in connection with the April 5 attack on the village.

Upon their arraignment, they were charged with offences including criminal conspiracy, arson, armed robbery, and murder.

The court ordered that they be remanded at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abolongo, Oyo State.

It will be recalled that recently, armed hoodlums—allegedly from neighbouring communities—launched an attack on Aagba village, during which a septuagenarian died from injuries inflicted by the invaders, and nine houses were razed.

The Nigerian Tribune learnt that the entire village was deserted as its inhabitants fled the attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Johnson Adenola, who visited the community the day after the incident, vowed to apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adewale Osifeso, in a statement, disclosed that an investigation by operatives of the Command led to the arrest of the 15 suspects.

The suspects include Olayiwola Adisa, 50; Shittu Waliu, 45; Ibrahim Shareef, 27; Shittu Ibrahim, 45; Gabriel Aderinto; Oyetunde Kazeem, 45; and Bakare Sikiru, 40.

Others are Babatunde Raimi, 19; Adewuyi Emmanuel, 21; Aderemi Kunle, 19; Salawudeen Ismail, 33; Jimoh Damilare, 20; Oyebamiji Tunji, 35; Ayankolade Femi, 28; and Ogunleye Taiwo, 60.

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The PPRO stated that the suspects were arrested at various locations, including a dense forest around Ejigbo, where many had fled to evade arrest.

He added that the investigation was still ongoing, as operatives of the Command were pursuing other suspects linked to the incident who remain at large.

“The Command would like to take this opportunity to advise citizens of the state to remain law-abiding and refrain from any acts of self-help or brigandage.

“We also warn potential troublemakers to desist, as the Command will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law to anyone who engages in such activities.

“Furthermore, we urge members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to any of our formations or the nearest law enforcement agent,” Osifeso stated.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to addressing all forms of violence and unrest that threaten public safety and community harmony in the state.