Panic as Suspected Land Grabbers Clash in Ogun

Residents of Onibukun community, in the Atan-Ota area of Ogun State, are in panic after suspected land grabbers engaged one another in a gun battle. Sunday PUNCH learnt that the clash had been on for about three weeks, as residents lived in tension.

The fight was also said to have paralysed business activities and the movement of people. An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said parents could no longer send their children to school. “The fear of stray bullets has enveloped the heart and body of everybody as the gunfights keep echoing,” he added. Our correspondent gathered that the unrest was a result of a land dispute between two families.

During the violence that ensued, a motorcycle rider was allegedly beaten to a stupor and his motorcycle burnt. Another resident, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “If not for my investments here, this is not a place one should live in. We are living in fear. Ask anyone at Oju Ode, Baba Alale; workers who wake up to go to work early in Lagos can’t try it again because of fear.” The residents urged the state government and security agencies to come to their aid. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said the incident was not reported. “I’ve called the DPO covering Onibukun, nothing of such,” she said.

Source: Punch