Estimated reading time: 8 minute(s)
Sodiq Ojuroungbe
There is palpable tension in Otere-Apena at Mowe area of Obafemi-Owode local government area Ogun state following an alleged killing of a 30-year-old labourer identified as Sunday Ojo by some suspected Mopol officers.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that pandemonium broke out on Tuesday afternoon when some Mopol officers allegedly attacked some labourers working on a land and reportedly shot one to death.
It was learnt that the Mopol officers who were reportedly working for Pentagon Real Estate owner, Kennedy Okoruwa allegedly attacked the labourers for trespassing on a disputed land.
Findings by PLATFORM TIMES revealed that the disputed land had sometimes led to legal tussle between the residents of the community and the estate owner.
It was however gathered that the labourers were working on a foundation when they were allegedly attacked by Mopol officers.
The Baale of Otere-Apena, Ismaila Baatoye told PLATFORM TIMES that the Mopol officers involved have been arrested and detained at Mowe Police station.
Baatoye however accused the estate owner of trespassing and threatening lives of people in the community.
He claimed the estate owner moved around with Mopol officers to allegedly terrorise the people of the community.
Speaking on the incident, the Otere-Apena village head explained, “We were in the village when we heard the sound of gunshot at the junction while some boys were filling a foundation there.
“When we got there, we met some policemen, we asked what happened, but those policemen were trying to escape, so, we seized their vehicles.
“We asked of the guys that were working, then we saw that one has been shot, and his colleagues ran away to a nearby bush shouting ” Ojo has been shot!”, we didn’t see any of the policemen because they have disappeared.
“Later, I rushed to the station and when we got back to the scene the policemen examined the corpse and took him away.
“Someone hinted us that those policemen had not gone that they were still around. So, we went to the bush with one of the policemen from the station and we were able to capture two Mopol officers; we took them to the station.
“Mr Kennedy Okoruwa is the chairman of Pentagon. He was the one that sent those policemen.
“We have told him not to bring policemen to our village again because sometimes he would bring policemen and soldiers to start harassing people in the village.”
The village head however demanded for justice, stressing that the case should not be swept under the carpet.
He further said,”I want Nigeria to intervene and not to allow us suffer in vain.
“I want Nigeria to help me and not allow these people spoil my village during my reign.
“Kennedy has sent some people to arrest us before, and when I told my lawyer, he was the one that went to the station to bail them.
“I don’t know what the policemen are saying that is why I am crying out to you that Nigeria should help me. This case must not be swept under the carpet.”
End
