Metro

Land dispute: Gunmen attack Ekiti LG secretariat, injure workers

There was pandemonium and confusion on Tuesday in Eda Oniyo-Ekiti, headquarters of the Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, following the attack launched on the complex by hoodlums.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered from reliable sources that the gunmen attacked the premises over alleged boundary and land disputes between the Eda Oniyo-Ekiti and Obbo-Ayegunle communities in the neighbouring Kwara State.

It was reliably gathered that the two communities have been embroiled in crisis for some time over land disputes.

The hoodlums were said to have vandalised the secretariat building and other property of the council, including inflicting life-threatening injuries on the workers.

A source said, “It is true that the two communities have been at loggerheads over land disputes, but the two respective state governments have not done much to curtail the issue.

“The hoodlums, numbering about 15, stormed the secretariat at about 10 in the morning with dangerous weapons and started shooting sporadically.

“They destroyed everything on sight, including vehicles, windows, glasses, and other property in the building.

“Even though there are not many casualties, some of the workers were injured during the pandemic.”

The Chairman of Ilejemaje Local Government, Alaba Dada, alleged that the suspected hoodlums were from the Obbo-Ayegunle community in Kwara State.

He attributed the attacks to the lingering land disputes between the two communities, adding that security operatives had been mobilised to the area to prevent further attacks.

Dada said there is a need for the Ekiti and Kwara state governments to coalesce efforts towards resolving lingering land disputes in the interest of peace and harmonious relationships between the communities.

Speaking on the attack, the Eleda of the Eda Oniyo community, Oba Awodipo Awolola, who condemned the latest attack, revealed that the hoodlums had a few days ago attacked some residents of the community in their farmland.

“These same people came a few days ago to attack some of our people on the farms with charms, and this has caused a lot of panic and tension in the community,” he said.

The traditional ruler, who lamented the absence of police posts in the area, said, “There is a need for security agencies to mobilise more men in the community to prevent further breaking of law and order.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sunday Abutu who confirmed the attack, said a special tactical team had been deployed to the area.

The police spokesman said, ” We heard of the attack and we have already deployed our men to that axis. Normalcy has returned to the place and investigation into the incident has commenced as directed by the CP in order to fish out the perpetrators.”

ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE