Leadership Tussle : 84 houses destroyed in Ondo community

Over 84 houses have been destroyed in  Aiyetoro, a coastal community in Ilaje local government area of Ondo state

since the leadership crisis started five years ago.

Leaders of Aiyetoro raised the alarm at a news conference held in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

Addressing journalists  under the auspices of Ogeloyinbo in the council of Aiyetoro and the Board of Trustees of the Holy Apostles Church, the leaders, lamented that the destruction still persisted till Wednesday.

The Asiwaju of Aiyetoro, Gani Ojagbohunmi, who spoke on behalf of the leaders  lamented the ongoing destruction of properties including the palace of the Ogeloyinbo, threat to lives, attempt to kidnap the monarch, Oba Micah Ajijo by some hoodlums.

Ojagbohunmi, who was a former Clerk of the House of Representatives was joined by the chairman Board of Trustee, Rev JI Ajijo, Secretary of the BOT, Folajimi lretolu, Baba Ijo of the community, Bishop E Eretan and the Basorun of Aiyetoro, Tola Alabere.

They said that the crisis in the community erupted after the recognition of Oba Ajijo as the leader of the community and the sack of Oluwanbe Ojagbohunmi by the court.

According to them, Oluwanbe, created a parallel leadership structure in the community to cause chaos and violent despite a peaceful settlement initiated by the state government.

” As we speak, they have driven away from the community innocent people, attempted to kill them, threatened them with guns and looting of valuable properties, assaulted and caused various degrees of bodily harm coupled with waylaying innocent indigenes on the streets of the community both day and night.

” These hoodlums are equally terrorising and looting houses of market women with dangerous instruments.

Speaking on the allegations of payment of oil spill compensation to the monarch, Ojagbohunmi, said that N90m paid by an oil company was paid into the community’s account adding that over 240 victims of the spillage have received compensations.

According to him all the negotiations and arrangements on the formula for payment of thr compensation to entitled beneficiaries were concluded by the predecessor of the present Oba Ajijo.