One killed, many injured as land grabbers unleash mayhem in Lagos community

Etim Effiong

One person was reportedly killed and many injured as hoodlums stormed Isiu community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

The traditional ruler of Isiu, Oba Olukayode Raji told journalists on Saturday that frequent crises in the area have led to many fleeing the community.

He called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr Alkali Baba, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr Hakeem Odumosu, to aid the community tackle the challenges of insecurity in Isiu.

Raji said: “I want my community to have peace, infact the problem continues on daily basis.

“The hoodlums shoot guns sporadically to disperse and scare residents including those going for their lawful duty.

“Am calling on the IG and CP Lagos state to help restore peace and relieve my community from the hands of hoodlums and landgrabbers.”

He noted that the unrest began since his appointment and given staff of office as the monarch of Isiu by the Lagos State Government on August 24, 2020.

He urged the police to approve siting of a police station in the community adding that the area was with population of about 3000 residents.

The chairman, Isiu Community Development Association (CDA), Mr Opeyemi Taiwo, revealed that the hoodlums attack the community at night.

He added that one person was shot dead in the early hours of Saturday, noting that his corps has been taken to Imota Police Station.

“This community has been experiencing terrible attacks since the Lagos State Government gave our King HRM. Oba Olukayode Raji, staff of office in August 2020.

“One of the aspirants to the throne of Obaship became angry and began to wage war against the community.

“Any time they come, they get our wives raped, collect phones, okada, and money. Nobody can sleep with two eyes closed.

“Farmers cannot go to farm and shops have remained closed,” he said.

A 67-year-old elderly woman, Mrs Iyabode Alimi, also appealed to security agencies in the state to come to aid of the community in curbing the violent crimes.

According to her, the police normally come to the community to arrest only innocent people instead of the criminals.

The Araba of Isiu, Mr Ifagbemi Adifala, appealed to LASG to provide adequate security.

Adifala urged the police to reinstate a reinforcement team for community policing.

The chairman, Ikorodu North Local Council Developmental Area, Mr Adeola Banjo, that the issue is based on landgrabbers having fracas between themselves.

“I was in the office almost every day of the week, so who are the hoodlums, they are landgrabbers.

“Security issue is not we discuss openly, I have done the needful from my own side, the needful I have done it, the matter is an issue of landgrabbers and nothing more, the chairman said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that the Federal Criminal and Investigation Department, FCID is handling the matter, adding that proper investigation will be done.

He said: “FCID is handling the matter and proper investigation will be done. The command will work with the team to unravel the incident.”