An appeal has gone to the youth in Ajaawa community in Ogo Oluwa Local Government area of Oyo State to allow security operatives to perform their constitutional responsibilities.
Making the appeal is the Member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere state constituency, Hon. Adegbola Oyeleke.
The lawmaker also urged Governor Seyi Makinde to set up a panel of enquiry to investigate the issues of kidnapping, killings and invasion of Ajaawa community by the security operatives with the aim of unraveling the perpetrators and the conspiracy behind the invasion.
The lawmaker, while presenting his motion on Matter of Urgent Public Importance tagged “Urgent need to Investigate Kidnapping and Killing in Ajaawa”, condemned the confrontation approach adopted by the youth in engaging the security operatives, expressing that collaboration between the Police and youths in the community is what is paramount to tackle issues of kidnapping and killing in the community.
Hon. Oyeleke also condemned an attempt by police to arrest the Chairman of Ogo-Oluwa Local government, Hon Seun Ojo, and Alajaawa of Ajaawa, Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji last Saturday. He disclosed that the situation could have generated a breakdown of law and order in the community.
“I want to appeal to the youth in Ajaawa to allow the police to do their job. If they want to invite people for questioning, they should be allowed, in short time their destination will be found out, but having confrontation with the police is not a good thing. So, I use this opportunity to appeal to the youth to please cooperate with the Nigeria Police because security of the community is a joint effort.”
The lawmaker commended the effort of the state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for prompt action to send the Joint Security Task Force (Operation Burst) to calm the tension.
According to the motion, “Notes that there were series of kidnappings and killings in Ajaawa in the last two months perpetrated by yet to identified persons
“Further notes that the recent incident happened on Monday 28th June, 2021. Reports say the latest one which lasted several hours occurred when officers of the Nigerian Police attempted to carry out some arrest around 1am on the said date. In the process, they shot sporadically, wounding many people and leaving two people dead. Unconfirmed eyewitness accounts also said nine other persons were whisked away by the police. Many terrified people took refuge in the bush in the dead of the night. As we speak, the entire Ajaawa community including schools, local governments offices, markets and farms are now deserted because many people have relocated to the neighboring communities for fear of more attacks.
“Further aware that there would have been another breakdown of law and order last Saturday in the town as there was a botched attempt by policemen numbering forty to arrest both the chairman of Ogo-Oluwa local government, Hon Seun Ojo, and Alajaawa of Ajaawa, Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji.
According to reports, the said security operatives stormed the residences of both the chairman and the monarch, shooting sporadically in an attempt to take them into custody. They were said to have ransacked the house of Hon. Ojo upturning all items in the rooms. At the palace, the invading policemen reportedly arrested one Mr. Wole Adunola, the Secretary to Alajawa of Ajawa.
“I appreciate the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for deploying Operation Burst to Ajaawa to restore peace. This will enable schools, markets, private businesses and others to reopen, and will also make residents return back to the ancient town.
“I also urge His Excellency to set up a panel of Enquiry to unravel those behind kidnappings and killings and the involvement or conspiracy of policemen in the whole saga,” Hon. Oyeleke said.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
