INCESSANT clashes in Ijoko community in Ado-
Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State,
allegedly linked to lingering Obaship tussle, have
turned the sleepy community to a flash point.

In the last few years, scores of casualties have been
recorded, majority of who were innocent people
caught in the crossfire of clashes between the two
rival groups.

Some of these thugs and their activities have cost
owners of valuable item such as houses, cars and
physical injury to persons.

The latest clash, which occurred on August 5, 2015
allegedly, claimed the lives of three people, and
many injured, as thugs wielding guns, cutlasses and
other dangerous weapons went on rampage before
the intervention of the Sango-Ota Police Command.

Though the two monarchs-Oba Abdulfatahi Alani Matanmi
and Oba Lasisi Aremu Ogunseye, who are in contention
denied their involvement in the imbroglio, blaming the
rival cult groups-Eiye and Aiye Confraternities, a
resident who doesn’t want his name mentioned told
The Guardian that the clashes are between thugs
loyal to the two monarchs.

A total of over 40 people were reported dead in the
last 10 years. Since 2006, the town had witnessed
several clashes, with several lives lost in mysterious
circumstances.

Last January, a 39-year old man, Jeje Oni was
gunned down by some hoodlums, days after the
palace of one of the monarchs, was allegedly razed
by supporters of his counterpart. He was said to
have been identified as a supporter of other group.

In April 2014, four people were reportedly killed in
another clash between the rival groups, including
an undergraduate student of the University of
Ilorin. The killing forced residents to stage a protest
to the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta,
calling on the governor to interfere.

At present, there is apprehension and fright that
there might be reprisal attacks. Though normalcy
seems to have returned when The Guardian visited,
it was gathered that some residents have relocated
to safer communities, to avert any calamity.

When the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer
(PPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi was contacted on phone,
he confirmed the last attack, but claimed it was only
one person that died. He noted that three people
were arrested last Wednesday in connection with
the killing and had been remanded in the police
headquarters, Eleweran, noting that full
investigation had begun on the issue.

When asked what the Command is doing to put an
end to the endless crisis, Adejobi said, “Police
cannot do anything concerning chieftaincy matter.

The only thing is that we have men on ground to
maintain law and order, the issue of Obaship
should be handled by government, it is not our
business.”