The Oba-elect of Oguntedo Town in the Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Satellite Town, Lagos, Modiu Oladele Olarinde, has appealed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, to urgently intervene in the lingering communal crisis threatening peace and security in the community.
Speaking at the weekend, Olarinde alleged that the unrest has been fuelled by two sons of the late Yekeni Olarinde, whom he accused of unlawfully leasing and selling community land without his knowledge or approval.
He further claimed that the duo had continued to lease parcels of land that had already been sold and allegedly used armed intimidation to compel some shop owners to validate the disputed transactions.
According to the Oba-elect, the land dispute has persisted for several years and has resulted in the loss of lives.
He alleged that a 20-year-old man, who was the only son of a widow, was killed by stray bullets reportedly fired by thugs linked to the suspects. He added that those allegedly involved in the incident are currently facing trial on murder charges.
Olarinde urged security agencies to take swift action to prevent the situation from escalating further and restore lasting peace in the community.
“This crisis is gradually getting out of hand. It is the same conflict that claimed the life of our late monarch, Oba Babatunde Yekini Olarinde,” he said.
The traditional ruler further alleged that following the late monarch’s burial, his younger brother, who he claimed had aspirations of ascending the throne, returned to the
