Residents of Yakoyo community (near Lagos) in Ojodu, Ifo local government area of Ogun State are calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, to investigate allegations of harassment, intimidation, extortion, and arrest of community leaders and residents by the Olofin of Isheri, Sulaiman Adekunle Bamgbade, and his allies.
The community accuses Oba Bamgbade of using the police to settle scores, despite a pending court case over the ownership of Yakoyo land.
The Baale of Yakoyo, Alani Obayomi, and community leaders claim that Oba Bamgbade’s actions are a clear case of self-help, and they demand that the IGP intervenes to restore peace and justice in the community.
The allegations include:
– Police harassment and intimidation: Community leaders and residents claim they have been constantly harassed and intimidated by police officers working with Oba Bamgbade’s allies.
– Extortion and arrest: Residents allege that they have been extorted and arrested by police officers on spurious allegations made by Funmi Obaseki, a former secretary in one of the community development areas.
– Compromised police officer: The community accuses the Divisional Police Officer of the Ojodu Abiodun Divisional Police Headquarters, CSP Ejalonibu, of being compromised and calls for a dispassionate investigation.
The community has petitioned the Alake of Egba land, the Ogun State House of Assembly, the Governor’s office, and the Ifo local government, but their mediation efforts have not stopped the alleged harassment and intimidation.
As the community seeks justice, it remains to be seen how the IGP and the Ogun State Police Command will respond to these allegations.