Gunmen From Kwara Allegedly Invade Ekiti LG Secretariat Over Land Dispute

Gunmen, reportedly from the Obbo-Ayegunle community, Kwara State, stormed the Ilejemeje Local Government Area Secretariat in Ẹda-Oniyọ, Ekiti State.

Obbo-Ayegunle is a neighbouring community to Ekiti State.

The two communities were said to have been embroiled in crisis for some time over land disputes.

Sources said the presence of the gunmen caused panic and chaos among workers.

The attackers were said to have disrupted normal activities and forced employees to flee the premises for safety.

The sources noted that the hoodlums violently stormed the secretariat, firing several gunshots, making workers run in different directions and in the ensuing pandemonium, one of them got injured.

They were alleged to have vandalized the secretariat building and other property of the council.

One person was said to have sustained serious injury and was rushed to the State Specialist Hospital in Iye-Ekiti for urgent medical attention, during the attack, which lasted for several hours.

The Chairman of the Local Government, Mr Alaba Dada, said the suspected hoodlums were from the Obbo-Ayegunle community in Kwara State.

He said the attack was a result of the lingering land dispute between the two communities.

He noted that security agents had been mobilized to the town to prevent reprisal attacks.

Dada added that there is a need for the Ekiti and Kwara governments to meet to settle the land dispute in the interest of peace and harmonious relationships.

Also, the Eleda of the Eda Oniyo community, Oba Awodipo Awolola, said residents of the community were attacked by some hoodlums a few days ago with charm in their farmlands.

He said the development resulted in panic and tension in the community.

The traditional ruler who lamented the absence of police posts in the area, said there is a need for security outfits to mobilize more officers to the community to prevent further breakdown of law and orders.