The lingering Obaship tussle in Oluke community in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State has turned sour as some suspected hoodlums reportedly shot two local chiefs, and killed a member of state Security Outfit, known as So-Safe-Corps.
The community had been enmeshed in crisis on the authentic traditional ruler of the town, leading to series of petitions against Isha Adeola, who’s installation has continued to generate controversy.
Through a lawyer, Michael Raji of Olusegun Raji Chambers, the indigenes and residents of the community had written a petition to Governor Dapo Abiodun, with copy forwarded to the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on alleged threat to lives and properties by the controversial monarch
the petition read: “We are solicitors to the indigenes and residents of Oluke town, Ewekoro Local Government Area, Ogun State. We are reliably informed by our clients that being the indigenes and children of Oluke town, they have been experiencing a lot of threats from one Oba Ishau Adeola, Kabiru, Shakiru, Bantale, Kola, Nosiru Owoeye and their cohorts who have been terrorising the community for over 15 years without any lawful and moral justification.
‘It is imperative to bring to your notice that Ishau Adeola was introduced to our clients by one Kabiru as a surveyor whose service was thereafter engaged to work as a surveyor on their vast land and since Ishau Adeola was given the job, there has been no peace and tranquility in the Oluke town with his act of terrorism and unlawful behaviours in the Oluke community”.
The development, however, took a frightening dimension last Thursday evening when some unidentified gunmen launched attack on some local chiefs (Bales) while returning from a meeting. Investigation revealed that the community had been polarised between the monarch and some Baales who were reported to be contesting the authenticity and emergence of Adeola as the rightful owner of the royal seat
The state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Omolola Odutola confirmed the attack, adding that two of the local chiefs were shot, and an officer of the So-Safe-Corps, who arrived the scene, to curb the attack was shot dead by the hoodlums
“The Divisional Police Officer received a distress call on 18/4/24 at about 1600hrs from Obalade Abule Oba village via Oluke in Ewekoro, Ogun State, that five unknown gunmen emerged from the bush and opened fire on some Bales returning from council of bale meeting”, Odutola said.
In a statement, the police spokesperson said that, as a result of the attack by the suspected hoodlums, the Baales sustained gun shot, adding that as at the time of filing this report, the victims had been hospitalised
“As a result, one Saibu Rasaq Saibu Rasaq ‘ M’ Baale Keleu village and Sesi Odunjo’ m’ Baale Abule Oko village sustained gunshot injuries on their shoulder and head. They also reported that two of their vehicles were sprayed with bullets”, she added
Odutola said that, immediately after the receipt of the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer led patrol team to the scene of the shooting incident adding that two victims were rushed to a nearby specialist for treatment.
She stated: “In an unfortunate twist, one Kusika Benjamin ‘m’ aged 50yrs, a So-Safe Officer attached to Lufodo along Oluke, on hearing about the shooting incident and attack on the Bales, he rushed to the bush with two other So-Safe Corps personnel unarmed, in a bid to chase after the hoodlums, unknowingly ran into the hoodlums who suddenly opened fire on the said Kusika Benjamin.
“One Kusika Benjamin who was later identified as a Commander of the So- Safe in Ewekoro was shot by same unknown fleeing suspects. The DPO rushed him to Ifo hospital where he was certified dead by duty”.
She said the family of the deceased insisted on taking his corpse to his hometown in Benin Republic for burial against police advice for autopsy, adding that no valuables were taken from the injured Bales, as the witnesses around said they could not understand the languages they heard them speak, stressing that efforts were ongoing to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested.
