In a disturbing turn of events following the recent invasion of the Oyo State Government secretariat by armed Yoruba Nation agitators, gunmen stormed the Ilejemeje local government area secretariat in Eda-Oniyo, Ekiti State on Tuesday. Their violent and disruptive actions led to panic among workers, forcing them to flee for their safety.
According to reports, the attackers, believed to be from the Obbo-Ayegunle community in neighboring Kwara State, arrived at the secretariat and unleashed chaos by firing multiple gunshots. As a result, terrified employees ran in various directions in a desperate bid to save their lives. In the ensuing pandemonium, one person was injured. The hoodlums also vandalized the secretariat building as well as other council property.
While the precise motive behind the attack remains unclear, it is understood that the two communities have been embroiled in a long-standing crisis over land disputes. The assault, which lasted for several hours, left one person seriously injured, prompting the individual to be immediately transported to the State Specialist Hospital in Iye-Ekiti for urgent medical attention.
Sources indicate that the hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons such as guns, charms, and cutlasses, infiltrated the secretariat at approximately 10 a.m. Speaking about the attack, Oba Awodipo Awolola, the Eleda of Eda Oniyo community, revealed that the hoodlums had wreaked havoc in the community in recent days by using charms to harm residents and damage farmlands. This ongoing development has created a sense of panic and tension among the locals. Oba Awolola also expressed concern over the absence of a police post in the area, emphasizing the urgent need for increased security presence to maintain law and order.
Likewise, Mr. Alaba Dada, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, attributed the suspected hoodlums' actions to the lingering land disputes between the two communities. He informed that security agents have been deployed to the town to prevent further incidents. Dada emphasized the importance of a meeting between the Ekiti and Kwara State governments to effectively resolve the land dispute, highlighting the necessity of peace and a harmonious relationship between the communities.