A state of tension grips Eda Oniyo, a border community in Ekiti, specifically at the headquarters of the Ilejemeje Council area, as armed hoodlums suspected to be from a neighboring town in Kwara initiated an attack on the council secretariat and several residents.
The Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, the community’s traditional ruler, disclosed that the hoodlums also assaulted residents working on their farms. One of the injured farmers is currently undergoing medical treatment at the hospital.
The root cause, according to Oba Julius Awolola, stems from a land dispute involving people from Obbo-Ayegunle, a neighboring community in Kwara State, who were farming on land earmarked for Ekiti state youth development. This situation incited the attack.
The monarch narrated, “They arrived on motorcycles. At that time, I was at my farm. They proceeded to vandalize the Ilejemeje local government Secretariat and attacked individuals farming in the vicinity. A parked car was damaged, and three motorcycles were set on fire. One of the assaulted farmers is currently hospitalized.”
The traditional leader highlighted the escalating tension within the community and noted that the state government has intervened by urging calmness and advising residents against retaliatory actions.
In response to the incident, security forces have been deployed to the area by the government. Soldiers and police officers are stationed at the Council Secretariat. Additionally, there are plans for the Amotekun security outfit to join the security efforts.
Expressing shock at the attack, the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government, Mr. Alaba Dada, confirmed the mobilization of security personnel to the town to mitigate the prevailing tension.
Dada emphasized the necessity for the governments of Ekiti and Kwara to engage in dialogue to resolve the underlying land dispute for the sake of peace and mutual coexistence.
This incident adds to a series of attacks by hoodlums on Ekiti communities. Notably, in August 2023, a violent incident in Efon Alaaye, Efon Local Government Area of Ekiti state left several individuals injured, including a businessman, Chief Bode Olayinka, and destruction of property worth millions of naira. The violence was linked to political tensions ahead of local government elections scheduled for December in the state.