BY GODWIN OBI
Gunmen numbering about 70 at the weekend, invaded Ipetu Baba Ode in Ado – Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Already, four suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack with the recovery of a Pump Action rifle,AK47 rifles, and other dangerous weapons .
There was pandemonium when the heavily armed men stormed the community ,shooting into the air forcing the residents to scamper for safety.
The residents of the community have therefore, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun ,the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to save them from a the gunmen who were allegedly sent by a notorious land grabber.
The residents also called on the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu,to use the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the arms and ammunition as a stepping stone to finding a lasting peace in the town which has been under constant attacks by gunmen.
The arrested persons have been identified as: Ibrahim ,Kamilu, Hassan, and Sulaimon, while some other members of the gang were still in the community as at the time of filing this report. The suspects were arrested, while returning from the Ipetu Baba Ode community on Saturday after a two – day reign of terror on the inhabitants .
A police source who pleaded anonymity said “ The four of them were arrested following a discreet and tactical operation by men of Atan Division .
“ They attacked the community on Friday . Policemen were deployed to different part of Baba Ode ,and Atan to trail the attackers .
“ Luck ran out on the arrested suspects, when the police intercepted their motorcycle and upon a thorough search,large arms and ammunition were recovered from them .
“ They have confessed to be coming from Ipetu Baba Ode . Investigation is still ongoing to arrest other members of the gang “ the police source also stated .
The latest invasion by the gunmen on Ipetu Baba Ode is the sixth in the last two years with many lives lost and many others injured as the invaders continued to defy the police and other security agencies .
Operatives of the Department of State Security had last year arrested one of them known in the area as killer in connection with the killing of two people over the same Ipetu Baba Ode crisis .
A community leader ,Chief Yaya Are Alayande, said .” It appears these people are not afraid of the police and the government anymore .Just two weeks ago ,three people were shot by the same gunmen .
“Their leader and some of them are still facing murder charges for their activities in the past but because they believe that they have the backing of some senior police officers ,they can always get away with their crimes .
“ This is an opportunity to get to the root of the whole thing . Some of them have been arrested with pump action gun,and other deadly weapons . The police should thoroughly investigate them. With the exhibit, the Inspector General of Police and Ogun State Governor can now get to the bottom of the whole thing with the arrest of some of them
ADVERTISEMENTS
2023-08-07
P