Residents of Alapoti, Olorunleke, and Olorunshola communities in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State were thrown into pandemonium when suspected landgrabbers invaded the communities on Friday.

BEYOND AFRICA gathered from a resident who identified himself simply as Alfa that the suspected landgrabbers, numbering about 50, invaded the communities in the morning, fully armed.

Alfa claimed that the landgrabbers were also shooting sporadically, leaving the residents to scamper for safety.

He said, “The incident happened on Friday when some men numbering about 50 stormed our community. They were all armed with various weapons and ammunition.

“They were shooting sporadically in the air, and people were running helter-skelter, leaving their businesses and shops because of fear of being caught in the crossfire.

“They cordoned off the whole area. But after some time, some police teams came to restore normalcy.

“It was after normalcy had been restored that we realised that they had carted seven motorcycles belonging to some commercial motorcyclists who had fled for their safety.”

Another resident, Saka Kolawole, who was privy to the incident, shared on his Facebook page that five communities were invaded by the suspected landgrabbers.

He wrote, “Alapoti, Asipa, Alaagba, Olorunleke, Olorunshola area of Ado-Odo currently in Ajagungbale crises. No business, no movement.”

Reacting to the post, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Ogun State Governor, Emmanuel Ojo, disclosed that the state government would look into the matter.

Ojo wrote, “The government will look into this.”

When contacted for a reaction, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said she had yet to be briefed on the matter.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer in the area confirmed the incident to our correspondent but disclosed that no further details could be given on the matter because of a lack of authority to speak to the press.

“Yes, it happened, but I can’t give you further details. It is the PPRO who can speak on the matter,” the police source said.

Source: Punch Online