One person was killed yesterday, August 19, as suspected land grabbers stormed Oke-ore community in Atan, Ado-odo/Ota local government area of Ogun state to purportedly carry out a court judgment.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident, disclosed that they are on top of the situation in the area, assuring residents that justice would be served on the matter.
The police spokesman hinted that preliminary reports was to the effect that the Owoeye boys stormed the community and one person was confirmed dead.
It was reliably gathered that detachment of soldiers who were on a rescue mission, had arrested the acclaimed leader of the gang,identified as Mutairu Owoeye and handed him over to the police.
Some of the residents who spoke with our correspondent on phone expressed fear of reprisal attack from the people.
It was learnt that the Owoeye-led gang, assisted by the Police from the Area Command, had stormed the community with a purported court judgment, which allegedly gave the ownership of the land to them.
Narrating their ordeal to newsmen, one of the Chiefs in the community, Chief Amosun Yomi said: “The gang led by Owoeye came in company of stern looking policemen and his touts to start pasting the court judgment. We are not aware of any court judgment.
“The development unsettled us as they started shooting indiscriminately. A stray bullet hit 18-year-old Bidemi Akinde, who has gone to eat in a cafetaria. He slumped and died immediately.
“All our efforts to rescue the boy was futile as he gave up the ghost. A relation of the boy, who is a Captain in the Nigerian Army was contacted and his arrival paid off as Owoeye was arrested and with the dead body, we went to the Area Command at Ota.
“As it is now, we are in fear, because we are not sure that the Owoeye’s boys may not another attack us in the community”,the High Chief stated.
Another resident, the Iyalode of Oke Ore community, Chief (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Idowu, also confirmed the attack, soliciting for the government and appropriate security agencies to come to the aid of the residents.