Communal Clash: Araromi Obu Exonerates Akeredolu,Alleges General Bajowa Of Fueling Crisis

The people of Araromi Obu in Odigbo local government of Ondo state have commended governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his prompt intervention in the protracted land dispute between them and Ikale people.

They also alleged a Leader of Ikaleland, Retired major General Oluyemi Bajowa and Abodi of Ikale, Oba George Faduyile of fueling land dispute for personal benefits.

Addressing journalists at a news conference at NUJ Press Centre, Akure, leaders of Araromi Obu Development Council, Senator Omolola Meroyi and a former Chairman of Odigbo local government, Prince Olu Falolu said Governor Akeredolu played a fatherly role by displaying himself to be an impartial arbiter in the conflict.

Senator Meroyi who urged the Governor not to be deterred by the antics and outburst of belligerent individuals like Retired major General Oluyemi Bajowa who were allegedly benefitting economically from the land dispute.

The community leaders added that Araromi-Obu had been in existence for over 500 years with the present Ajobu, Oba Aderemi Adelola as the 18th monarch of the ancient town.

Prince Falolu flanked by other leaders of the Community including the National President of the Araromi-Obu Development Council, Mr Abisoye Monebi, urged security agencies and governor Akeredolu not to succumb to blackmail from any quarter and bring perpetrators of the communal violence to book.

Maroyi said, “It is pertinent to enumerate the roles played by the Ondo State Government and the security agencies towards averting the mindless bloodletting, arson, wanton destruction of lives and property and general state of insecurity unleashed on the people of Araromi-Obu by the Ikales on the instruction of the Abodi of Ikoya and General Olu Bajowa before, during and after the July 16 invasion of Araromi-Obu.”

“It is on record that in order to prevent the outbreak of hostilities, several peace meetings were initiated by the Ondo State government, the Police and the Directorate of Security Services all of which were attended by the Ajobu and his people but surprisingly shunned by the Abodi of Ikoya without genuine reasons.”

“Also, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police in a bid to avert the looming clash, visited the area and appealed to both Araromi-Obu and Ikale people to maintain peace and allowed the judicial process to be exhausted since Araromi-Obu has appealed against the judgment.”

“However, in a dramatic move, shortly after the visit of the Commissioner of Police, the attack on the people of Araromi-Obu by the Ikales assumed a more frightening dimension as farmlands were invaded, farm produce harvested and carted away, people molested, harassed and abducted on their farms and while pursuing other legitimate businesses.”

“It is worthy of note that all the aforementioned nefarious activities of the Ikale people were reported to the security agencies including the Police and Directorate of Security Services while several letters were dispatched to the Ondo State Government for their intervention in order to nip the impending violent clash in the bud.

“We gathered from credible sources that the Ikale hooligans were being sponsored by the Abodi of Ikoya and General Bajowa (retired) for selfish economic benefits, their intention being to turn the Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited to their the cash crow. It is therefore not a surprise to discover that following the judgment both the Abodi and General Bajowa have written several letters to the Araromi Rubber Estate Limited demanding monetary gratification.”

“Distinguished men of the pen profession, we are deeply sadden by the event of July 16, 2019 when the crisis reached a boiling point with the Ikales mobilizing in their numbers with sophisticated arms and ammunition, invaded Araromi-Obu township and when the dust settled, two indigenes of Araromi-Obu were brutally murdered, several injured and houses and other property belonging to Araromi-Obu people living in Ago Alaye which is predominantly populated by the Ikale people were set ablaze.”

“These condemnable, unfortunate and dastardly activities of the Ikale people prompted the intervention of the Ondo State Governor as Chief Security Officer of the state accompanied by the Heads of Security agencies to pay an unscheduled visit to the area for on-the-spot assessment of the situation and to put an end to the orgy of violence.”

Araromi-Obu Leaders said, “It should be noted that the Governor should be commended for the unscheduled visit by all peace loving citizen as his prompt intervention and the deployment of security men has ensured that return of peace to the area.”

“We also wish to debunk the claims of the Ikale people who were arrested for their involvement in the wanton destruction of lives and property that they were part of the delegation to appraise the governor of their position and to state that their assertion in an afterthought fabricated to deceive the public as the visit of the Governor was impromptu necessitated by the need to stop further bloodshed and break down of law and order.”

“That we commend Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for his prompt intervention which has resulted in the restoration of peace to Araromi-Obu and environs.”

“That we are satisfied with the fatherly role which Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has displayed as an impartial arbiter in the conflict and urged him not to be deterred by the antics and outburst of belligerent individuals like General Oluyemi Bajowa (rtd) whose stock in trade is to benefit from the misfortune of the hapless indigenes of Araromi-Obu.”

“That we condemn in strong terms the ignoble conduct and vituperation of General Oluyemi Bajowa whose language is not only uncouth but deliberately concocted to tarnish the image of our Governor as the Chief Security Officer of the State whose major preoccupation has been the maintenance of peace and the well being of the inhabitants of Ondo State.

“We need to remind General Bajowa and co-travelers that we are no longer under military dictatorship and need to accord respect to constituted authority derived from the mandate of the people of Ondo State through the ballot and not through the barrel of the gun.”

“We wonder what manner of legacies he wants to bequeath to the younger generation of Nigerians as a retired General and elder statesman. We are however surprised about his sudden emergence as a latter day “messiah” and champion of Ikale people as no visible landmark achievement could be ascribed to him in the whole of Ikale land and Yoruba land as a top military officer who has held various positions in government both at state and federal levels.”

“That we support all the measures taken by the Ondo State Government to bring lasting peace to Araromi-Obu and environs including the newly constituted panel of enquiry to ascertain to cause(s) of the crisis and promised to cooperate with the panel to achieve its set-objectives.”

The leaders said Araromi-Obu people will continue to maintain peace in spite of persistent provocation by the Ikale aggressors.

“Finally, we call on the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu not to succumb to blackmail from any quarter no matter how highly placed and influential in his bid to restore lasting peace to Araromi-Obu and environs and also urged him to continue his good works for the benefit of the people of our dear sunshine state.”

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