Daud Olatunji
In a tragic turn of events, a reciprocal gesture by Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, to one of his staunch supporters in Ipokia local government has ignited a deadly clash in the Agosasa community, resulting in the loss of five lives and extensive destruction of properties worth billions of naira.
Investigations by PLATFORM TIMES revealed that the violent outbreak in Agosasa, an agrarian community last week Sunday stemmed from deep-seated political differences between Abiodun, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) since the 2019 elections.
Akinlade, the favoured candidate of the former governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun, hails from Agosasa.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that in a bid to weaken Akinlade’s influence in his local government, Abiodun reportedly enlisted the support of influential figures in the community, including a socialite and APC Chieftain, Akeem Adigun, and a former Ipokia chairman, Isiaka Aderounmu, to rally votes against Akinlade, who is regarded as a son of the soil.
The rift between the two factions within the community deepened, fracturing relationships among erstwhile allies and culminating in a violent clash that claimed lives and wreaked havoc on the once peaceful community.
According to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, tensions had been simmering since 2019, but the situation escalated in 2022 during the selection process for a new Oba following the demise of Oba James Elegbede who died in 2021.
PLATFORM TIMES’ investigation showed that two contenders emerged for the throne, with one backed by the governor’s loyalists, led by Chief Akeem Adigun, popularly known as Socopao, and the other supported by those sympathetic to Akinlade.
It was also gathered that the factional Oba sympathetic to Akinlade seems to have gained the acceptance of some traditional chiefs and the community, but, the other seems to have the strong backing of the core loyalists of the governor and some aggrieved chiefs in the community.
Prior to the Oba’s passing, strained relations was said to have occured between Socopao and the late monarch which exacerbated tensions within the community.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the vacuum created by the Oba’s demise further fueled the crisis, leading to the eruption of violence and destruction witnessed in Agosasa.
Reports indicate that between 2019 and 2024, nine individuals lost their lives in various skirmishes, while several others remain missing.
Additionally, properties estimated to be worth about N3 billion were set ablaze and razed to the ground, exacerbating the already dire situation in the community.
… How Renewed Violence Claims Lives, Properties
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Agosasa, an ancient agrarian community in the Ipokia local government area of Ogun State, was engulfed in violence.
The day turned tragic as hoodlums took advantage of the simmering political and chieftaincy crises gripping the community.
At least eight individuals lost properties valued at millions of naira, while numerous residents, including the elderly, suffered varying degrees of injuries.
Violent Attack Unleashes Chaos in Agosasa
Agosasa descended into chaos as aggrieved youth, allegedly manipulated by powerful figures, wreaked havoc in a bloody attack.
PLATFORM TIMES’s investigation revealed widespread destruction, with businesses looted and properties vandalized, resulting in millions of naira in losses.
Eyewitnesses recounted tales of destruction such as : Eyekole Taiwo whose barbing salon in Eti-oja Agosasa was ransacked, Babayode James’ fashion design shop in Odedan Agosasa was left in ruins, and Alhaji Femi Gaugau narrowly escaped with his life as hoodlums destroyed his home and cars in Ilupeju Agosasa.
The violence extended to Enu-Odi Agosasa, where Musa’s house was damaged, and Mrs. Eyekole Lateefat’s shop at Oja-ago market was ravaged, leaving nothing untouched.
Alhaji Aribidesi Olabisi’s house was attacked, leaving Alhaja Suura Orisadare injured with machete cuts.
Investigations traced the roots of the conflict back to 2016, stemming from a power struggle between the late Oba and certain chiefs, leading to the unilateral installation of a Baale without royal approval.Efforts to resolve the dispute failed, exacerbating the situation.
The conflict deepened when the late Oba’s actions clashed with the interests of Otunba, leading to a rift that persisted until the monarch’s demise.
Despite attempts at reconciliation, the crisis reached a tipping point when the installation of local officials further fueled tensions.
… The Profile
Agosasa is a border town and one of the ancient towns in Ogun State. This historic community, besides sharing a border with Nigeria’s neighbour, Benin Republic, has long been regarded as one of the biggest commercial hubs in Ipokia Local Government Area, where it is located in the State.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that due to its border location,. Agosasa is quite distant from Abeokuta, the state’s administrative and political capital. Over the years, Agosasa has distinguished itself in bilateral relations with neighbouring communities in Benin Republic, particularly in trade. .
Agosasa is renowned for producing widely acceptable locust beans and is considered one of the best in the South West states.
Agosasa is populated by the Anagos, Eyos, and some Eegun communities, predominantly composed of peasant farmers, while the community’s market attracts traders from the Republic of Benin and beyond.
The ease of movement between Agosasa and these neighbouring communities in Benin Republic has further strengthened trade and interaction platforms.
This has provided significant opportunities for residents of distant villages and towns in Ogun State to use Agosasa as a gateway to reach other towns in Benin Republic for business purposes.
The town also boasts of rich traditions, with major traditional festivals like Egungun, Ogun, among others, being well celebrated.
Due to the presence of Egun communities in the town, Sangbeto, a popular masquerade among the Egun people, is also prominent in the ancient town.
… How Oba’s Death Escalates Bloody Violence
Following the death of the Oba in 2021, a series of crises broke out over who would become the next Oja of Agosasa .
Sensing a clandestine plan by a group of people in the community, the youths took to the streets and warned against the installation of an unpopular candidate as the next Oba.
The socialite who led a group of chiefs before the demise of the late Oba James Elegbede was accused of planning to impose his candidate on the community.
A resident of Ipokia, who simply identified himself as Yemi, said, “On a Sunday, about five persons were injured and taken to the hospital when the face-off started.
Irked by the the development,some eyewitnesses reported that houses and vehicles belonging to Akeem Adigun, a former council chairman and appointee of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Isiaka Aderounmu, and others, had been set on fire by angry youths.
Another source said two more persons had been killed, making a total of three lives lost in the melee.
… Crisis Escalates To Legal Battle
Both factions were said to have gone to court over the crisis .
While Ajibola-led faction charged the other faction to court with murder case and illegal occupying of the Oja of Agosasa seat, the other faction led by Socopao has also approached court over loss of property among others .
Despite that the dispute has spiraled into a legal battle, yet, violence continues to plague the community.
Ajibola’ s faction claimed that the palace was reportedly locked by Adigun and his faction.
According to the faction, Adigun’s possession of the palace key, kept at the Onipokia palace, nearly incited a war between the two communities.
Socopao and his followers reportedly boycotted the traditional rituals conducted for the late Oba, exacerbating the rift.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that as soon as the burial rites for the late Oba were concluded, the faction led by Alhaji Ajibola began the process of installation of a new Oba and selected prince Abogunrin Sunday who was taken into Ipebi (seclusion) where he spent three months. But, the installation was later reportedly canceled.
It was further gathered that the government was not carried along in the process .
Violence however, erupted during the installation process of Prince Abogunrin Sunday who hails from the Fadeyi-Alaga ruling house.
He was reportedly backed by the kingmakers and some community support.
The other faction reportedly began the process of installation and successfully crowned Prince Afeez Akinpelu from Ajiro biadodo as the new Oba.
This development triggered a large-scale violence which led to death of some people and loss of property.
To the protesters, the Socopao-led faction scaled through the hurdle of installation from the government due to the influence of some leaders of the faction, including Socopao.
An unconfirmed report has it that Socopao was compensated by the government for his roles during the election which led to the emergence of Dapo Abiodun against Akinlade as governor of the state .
During the process of installation, Nofiu Amosun, a Personal Assistant to the Oba-Elect, Sunday Abogunrin loyal to the group led by Alhaji Fatai Ajibola, lost his life in a confrontation with Socopao’s police orderly on September 22, 2022, at Idi-Aparun in Ibatefin.
… Agosasa, Now Crisis Zone – Police
Police authorities, including the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, Omolola Odutola, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ipokia, Nsika Effiong, have provided insights into the situation, shedding light on the challenges and efforts to restore peace.
Confirming the violence, both Odutola and DCP Effiong emphasized the gravity of the situation, acknowledging the loss of lives, destruction of property, and the simmering tensions that have plagued the community for some time.
Effiong, who assumed his role in November 2021,said he inherited a longstanding leadership dispute in Agosasa, characterized by sporadic outbreaks of violence and unrest.
Effiong lamented the recurring crisis in Agosasa, stressing the need for sustained efforts to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict.
He recounted recent incidents, including a carnival procession that spiraled into chaos, resulting in clashes between rival factions.
He said despite police intervention aimed at restoring peace, tensions remained high, with reports of looting and vandalism exacerbating the situation.
Highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining neutrality amidst the conflict, Effiong underscored the importance of community cooperation in identifying and apprehending perpetrators of violence.
He said with the support of vigilant villagers, the police were able to apprehend several suspects implicated in the unrest, signaling a proactive response to the crisis.
Effiong revealed ongoing efforts by security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), to mediate the dispute and quell further escalation.
However, he expressed concerns over the arrest of factional leaders, warning against the potential for further unrest in the absence of a resolution to the underlying grievances.
He said, “there had been a problem in that town. I have called both parties for peaceful talks in my office.
“We have designated that area as a crisis area. We have many villages in Ipokia local government. Agosasa should not always be in crisis. Every time it is Agosasa.
“This matter started in 2021, and it is a leadership tussle. About five people or so have died, houses burned, and some properties destroyed.
“The recent incident happened last week. They said they were having a carnival in that place. One of the parties was holding the carnival, and as they passed the palace, they started throwing stones into the palace, scattering the whole area.
“So, the other people could not remain idle. They threw stones back at them, and the police were alerted.
“I went there with my team, and as you know, the police have to be neutral, so we tried to restore peace.
“The other faction had the upper hand. They were burning tires, and during that time, they were looting some shops, about five shops. People identified them.
“Immediately the police were able to restore peace, some villagers volunteered to give police information about the people involved in the violence and looting. We went to their houses and picked them up. They have been on our watchlist. We have been looking for them. We arrested them in the night when they went back to their houses, and we have transferred them to the state CID.
“It is a traditional issue. We have arrested about 18 of them.
“Yesterday, both parties were invited by the DSS, represented by Alhaji Fatai and the other called Water.
“I don’t know what happened; they have arrested the factional Oba and three others, making 18 now.
“The situation is calm. We have taken over the entire community until they get tired. We need that peace.
Corroborating Effiong’s account, Odutola reaffirmed the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order, particularly during the Ramadan period.
She emphasized the impartiality of law enforcement in civil disputes, stressing the need for adherence to legal processes and government directives
Odutola said, “Police are not involved. It is a civil matter. It is a government order we cannot go against. It is the governor that appointed the Oba, so whoever is parading himself, the matter is in court.”
“The CP has directed through the Divisional Police Officer in Ipokia, Nsika Effiong, a very experienced and crack police officer who has been posted there.
Not only police, but we also have DSS and NSCDC officials posted there to ensure total orderliness.
“Most people who threw stones and bottles and took advantage of looting shops, the DPO was on the ground to arrest them. Both Police and DSS made arrests of 18 suspects.
“The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies remain neutral, but at the same time, we cannot fold our arms and allow the fight to escalate. That’s why they are there. The hoodlums would be arrested.”
….Latest Violence
The latest violence occurred last Sunday when warring groups clashed. The clash ensued following the failure of another group to recognize the Oba during the festival called Ofe .
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the Ofe traditionalists, while passing by the palace, reportedly ignored the Oba, leading to violence that prompted the invitation of soldiers to the town.
According to one of the chiefs in the community, “In Agosasa, there are four ruling houses which are: Ariselogbe (Isale Agosasa), Kuemi Ajadi (Isale Agosasa), Fadeyi-Alaga (Oke Agosasa), and Olowoogunlaba (Oke Agosasa).
He lamented that since 2022 when the crisis started, some persons have been killed who include ; Amosun Nofiu,who was reportedly shot dead ; Ibikunle Wasiu, was reportedly tortured to death by soldiers, and Fadeyi Rafiu, reportedly killed by hoodlums. They were reportedly killed on Monday, September 12, 2022.
While sharing his views on the crisis rocking the once-peaceful town, former chairman of Ipokia local government, believed to be loyal to Socopao, Isiaka Aderounmu, said the crisis was a mixture of politics and communal tensions.
He attributed the crisis to the buildup to the 2019 election when Adekunle Akinlade, who was the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, contested but lost to Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress.
He said, “What happened in 2019 was purely political. Yes, I was a council chairman from 2012 to 2015 in Ipokia local government. While I was the council chairman, myself and Kunle Akinlade belonged to the same party. We campaigned for him rigorously and made him House of Rep in 2015.
“When it was July 2015, I left office at the expiration of my tenure. We later belonged to different camps and had different interests.
“The governor then wanted everyone of us to support him. Somebody who wants to become a governor but does not belong to our political group, we had a primary, somebody else won. Yes, as a politician, you couldn’t expect me to support somebody who’s not from my party, so we supported the governor. We didn’t support him because he’s not from my party.”
“So, coming back to the Agosasa case, when he was a member of Representatives, because of the different interests and different political parties that we belong to, different things started happening. Yes, the Kabiyesi and the chiefs then had a misunderstanding. I don’t know, Kunle wrote a petition to Elewe-Eran, that warranted inviting those chiefs that were having issues with Kabiyesi.
“He said it was the Kabiyesi that called him and reported to him. He wrote in the petition that those people were threatening Kabiyesi.
“They, (the Chiefs) while going to the police headquarters, told me they were going, and I said since it’s an invitation, the police will only interrogate them. But, I don’t know what he did, as they got there, they couldn’t talk, they nearly locked them up that day.
That was when we called people, and a lawyer, and we went there to bail them. That was how they were saved. That was what started the crisis in Agosasa.”
Aderounmu claimed that the situation was so bad that the late Kabiyesi would hold meetings with a faction of the Chiefs while the others would be sidelined.
He said, “This made the chiefs boycott meetings and shunned the palace. They said it’s better we stay at home. They stopped going to the palace.”
…Breach Of Agreement
Treading down memory lane, Aderounmu said that there was an agreement between the late Kabiyesi and some chiefs prior to his promotion from Baale to an Oba.
He said, “The agreement that was made before the late Kabiyesi was promoted from Baale to the position of an Oba because Agosasa did not have a Kabiyesi before. The town was being governed by a Baale. There are certain agreements that were made between him and the chiefs. Part of the agreement was that some certain chiefs will be traditional chiefs and an undertaking was written and was signed by Kabiyesi.
“But before the Oba was promoted as the Oba, some chiefs had died, especially the Aro of the town.
“Kabiyesi then used the opportunity of that crisis and went ahead to install another person as Aro of the town. So the people protested and challenged Kabiyesi on the decision, insisting that was not their agreement because the position is a traditional chief.”
When asked for his view on the crisis, Chief Akeem Adigun, aka Socoopao, said he is a bonafide indigene of the town, and all he wanted was peace.
He said, “I have been on the vanguard of telling people not to take laws into their hands, and these other people, they are bent on destroying the whole area.
This area and my entire building were set ablaze with seven exotic cars, burnt to ashes. After that, the hoodlums went to my father’s house, burnt down the place, went to my mother’s house, burnt down the place.
That culminated in my leaving this area to stay in Lagos for about three weeks, I later came back and commenced the renovation of my house. Anyway, the matter is still in court, I won’t want to say something that’ll be termed as contempt of the court.
“ But, all I want is peace; we are ready for peace at any given time. As we speak, I’m about 72 years old, and I don’t think I can spend that kind of years again on the planet earth, so whatever I’m doing now will be written down as my legacy, so all I want is peace. I’m not part of those that left the town, those that did must have their reasons, as we speak, I am here in my house, and I’ll be here. People with like minds have started proposing peace agenda; for example, ambassador Abolurin from Ipokia came here, spoke with me and all I told him was exactly what I’m telling you now, that we should embrace peace, we are ready for peace.
He left my place and went to the other people, I wouldn’t know what their response was. We have even gone as far as to the SSS headquarters at Abeokuta, and we wrote undertakings twice, but these people will not allow peace to reign.”
… The Loss
While counting his losses, Socopao lamented that the loss he suffered was unquantifiable. He said the physical one that he could quickly tell was more than N2bn, in terms of his vehicles burnt.
He said, “Seven exotic vehicles, Range rover, Mercedes GS63, Station Wagon Mercedes Benz, Humma Jeep 2, Toyota Coaster bus, and several others, two power bikes, two ordinary motorbikes, …”
He continued, “I have spent 57 years in Lagos; I left this community at age 3 and I came back at age 60 in 2012. I have decided to live the remaining part of my life here.”
When contacted, Ajibola, who heads the other faction sympathetic to the late Oba and Akinlade, blamed the crisis on Socopao.
Ajibola agreed that politics was a major cause, while he said the crisis was escalated following the perceived oppression by the loyalists of the governor.
Ajibola said the community, through the kingmakers, had selected and commenced the installation process of the new Oba before it was truncated by the government.
According to him, Socopao and his members believed that, having the backing of the governor, they could get away with murder.
He said, “We have picked the new Oba from the ruling house different from where the late Oba came from.
He (Socopao) wanted to impose a ruling house on the community and went to pick someone from that house after his bid to make himself the next Oba failed.
He wanted to be the Oba, but after he failed, he went ahead and imposed someone on the community.” On the need for peace, he said his faction was open to dialogue.
He said talks had been ongoing to reconcile the warring groups. He also raised the alarm that many of their loyalists were being picked by the police on the order of the other faction.
However, the police denied working for either of the parties, saying they were drafted by the government and listen only to the authorities.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
