Residents of Shanle in Ikorodu on the outskirts of Lagos are living in fear as unknown gunmen have been terrorising the community since February 17.
The gunmen were said to have stormed the community from Jajo a neighbouring town, demolishing buildings under construction and threatening to kill whoever dared them.
Sources alleged that the gunmen are working for some land grabbers who are bent on taking over people’s land forcefully.
The secretary of the Ogunbashe/Odunekan royal family, Balogun Sonubi, 85, who said the land belongs to his family, said: “On February 16, I came home and found a paper from the Area ‘N’ Police Command that I was wanted at the station. I went there and I was told that I was under arrest over alleged possession of gun and cocaine. The police told me that people from Jajo alleged that I was threatening their lives. I was shocked and embarrassed. I denied it, but I was detained and later granted bail.
“The next day, I was at home when some boys with machetes and other dangerous weapons stormed my house. They told me that they were from a man, Lamina a.k.a Sir K, who is claiming ownership of Shanle. The hoodlums were led by one traditional ruler from Jajo. I was shocked because this land belongs to our great grandparents and we have been living here for over 500 years now. Jajo community shares boundary with us, but there has never been any problem until last week when some people came to claim our land. For a week now, we have been living in fear as they kept shooting anyhow.”
Sonubi said he reported the matter at the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) at Adeniji Adele, Lagos. He expressed hope that the police would arrest the trouble makers.
A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said he was considering relocating because of the threats, adding: “I have been living in this community since 2003. Everywhere was peaceful until some gunmen started terrorising us. On February 22, some armed men on motorcycles stormed my house and stopped the renovation going on there. They flogged the work men, claiming to be the new owners of the town.”
The traditional ruler, Mr Salau Bakare, said over 50 invaders stormed his house on February 17, threatening to kill him.
“The armed men stole my Toyota Camry car. They have been going around collecting money from people building houses, terrorising others. They set construction sites ablaze. They claimed to own Shanle. But the traditional ruler of Jajo told me the elders of Jajo did not send the armed men. We implore the government and the police authorities to come to our rescue to stop this reckless behaviour of these senseless men.”
Lamina said: “I have not been around in the last one month. I did not send gunmen to take over any community. I am innocent of all the allegations.”
Commissioner of Police Umar Manko said officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, would be deployed in the community to restore order. “I will direct SARS policemen to go there and arrest any trouble maker,” Manko said.
