Ogun: Community seeks international, FG’s intervention over violent attacks

Indigenes and residents of the Iwoye-Ketu community, a border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin in Ogun State, have sought the intervention of the international community and the federal government over rising violence allegedly perpetrated by suspected Fulani individuals in the community.

This was stated in a release made available to the Nigerian Tribune by the Iwoye-Ketu Development Forum, signed by its Chairman, Chief Semiu Usman-Legitan, and Secretary, Comrade Wale Fadipe.

The Forum lamented that lives and properties have been lost since the wave of violence allegedly began, perpetrated by individuals suspected to be members of the Fulani ethnic group residing within the community.

It was reported that the community has recently become a hotbed of kidnappings, killings, and other violent acts, leading many residents to abandon their homes for safety.

ALSO READ: Floods kill at least 49, displace 41,344 in Northeast Nigeria — NEMA

They noted that the existence of the community is under threat and that they cannot afford to wait any longer if nothing urgent is done to control the situation.

The Iwoye-Ketu Development Forum recalled how the peace of the agrarian community was threatened in 2002.

The statement reads, “It is with profound grief and a deep sense of urgency that we, the leaders and concerned indigenes of Iwoye-Ketu, address the escalating wave of violence, kidnappings, and killings perpetrated by individuals suspected to be from the Fulani ethnic group residing within our community.

This situation has not only threatened the peace and security of our community but has also evoked painful memories of the tragic events of 2002.

It is imperative that we bring this alarming situation to the attention of the Nigerian government, international bodies, and all well-meaning citizens.

The current wave of violence is eerily reminiscent of the violent clash between the indigenes of Iwoye-Ketu and the Fulani settlers in 2002, which led to significant loss of lives and properties.

That conflict forced many of our people to abandon their homes in search of safety.

It took years of concerted efforts by both local and government authorities to restore a semblance of peace to our community.

Today, we find ourselves on the brink of another devastating conflict, with even more lethal consequences.

It continued, “In recent months, the situation in Iwoye-Ketu has deteriorated rapidly.

Our community has become a hotbed of kidnappings, killings, and other violent acts.

The perpetrators of these heinous crimes are believed to be members of the Fulani ethnic group, who have taken up residence in our community.

These individuals have shown no regard for human life, attacking and hacking our people to death at the slightest provocation. The frequency and brutality of these attacks have instilled fear and anxiety among our people.

It is crucial to note that Iwoye-Ketu is a border town, which has significantly contributed to the rising crime and violence we are experiencing.

The proximity to the border has made our community vulnerable to infiltration by criminal elements who exploit the porous borders to perpetrate their heinous acts.

This geographical factor has exacerbated the security challenges in our community, making it even more imperative for swift and decisive action.

This August alone, we have witnessed three separate incidents of kidnapping within our community.

These kidnappings are not isolated incidents but are part of a broader campaign of terror being waged against our people.

The attackers have been relentless in their efforts, leaving a trail of bloodshed and sorrow in their wake. Our community is under siege, and the threat to our lives and properties has never been more dire.

The violence has claimed the lives of many promising young men in our community.

Among them was Kabiru Ogunrinde, who was brutally killed while escorting police officers to a crime scene involving the same group of attackers.

Kabiru’s death was a tragic reminder of the dangers our people face daily. Just two days ago, another promising youth, Eric Adekanmbi, was mercilessly hacked to death while trying to secure the release of kidnapped victims.

These are just a few of the many lives lost in this senseless violence.

While we appreciate the cooperation of the security agencies, we believe that more needs to be done. The situation in Iwoye-Ketu is beyond the capacity of local security forces to handle alone.

We call on the Nigerian government, international organizations, and all relevant authorities to intervene urgently.

The lives of our people are at stake, and immediate action is required to prevent further bloodshed.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE