Hoodlums: Igbo-Iweje community sends SOS to Ogun govt

RESIDENTS of Igbo-Iweje community in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State have called on the federal and state governments to save them and their properties from criminals, who want to force them out of their  land.

Speaking with newsmen after a recent attack of the community by hoodlums, who were alleged to have been hired from Lagos and Sango-Ota, the heir of Okolo’s family, Pastor Isaac Okolo, said they (hoodlums) have destroyed  their property, including farm produce.

Okolo further alleged that the hoodlums have burnt demarcation signposts in the community, adding that cassava plants, watermelon, tomatoes among other crops planted by him and other neighbours were destroyed.

According to him, the thugs had repeatedly visited the community to disturb their peace and threatened them with  charms in order to drive them away from the land inherited from their late father, Pa Timothy Okolo.

Also speaking, the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Idande Parish, in the community, Prophetes (Mrs) Bunmi Holymary, said that the thugs had threatened to kill many of them if they refused to vacate the community.

A farmer in the community, Mr John Olakinye, said that he was mercilessly beaten on his farm by the hoodlums the last time they came to disturb the peace of the community and all his plantations were destroyed.

He said: “The last time they met me on my farm, they beat me and also destroyed my plantations. I was asked to vacate the community but I cannot, because I have been in this community for more than 20 years. I bought my land from late Pa Timothy Okolo, who is the owner of the community land and I also built a house here. So, I cannot leave this community. Government should help us checkmate these hoodlums and prevent our community from further attacks.”