A wave of fear has gripped the residents of Oke-Oha Village in Ogun State after the gruesome killing of their traditional ruler.
The Baale of Oke-Oha, Chief Ogunleye Olaegbe, was reportedly attacked on his farm by suspected herdsmen.
His lifeless body was discovered by villagers around noon on Wednesday.
Olaegbe, 49, was found in a pool of blood, with gunshot wounds to his chest.
The attackers had dragged him from his farm and abandoned him in a nearby bush.
Residents described the incident as one in a series of violent attacks allegedly carried out by herdsmen in the area.
Police Confirm Attack
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement released by its spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola.
She revealed that the police received a distress call from a community member.
“A community member alerted the Imeko Police Division about the incident,” Odutola said.
She explained that upon arrival at the scene, officers found clear signs of an ambush.
“On arrival, it was discovered that during the attack, he had been dragged from his farm into a nearby bush, where he was shot in the chest, resulting in his death,” Odutola added.
The police took photographs of the scene and moved the body to Ayetoro General Hospital mortuary for an autopsy.
Efforts to Track Down Killers
Odutola assured the public that investigations had begun.
“A preliminary investigation has commenced, and efforts are in top gear to apprehend the perpetrators,” she said.
She also noted that the area is under close surveillance to prevent further violence.
A Community in Mourning
Oke-Oha residents are in shock over the killing of their Baale.
Many expressed fear that the situation could escalate if the attackers are not brought to justice.
A local resident, who gave his name as Adebayo, said the attack was a terrible blow to the community.
“This is not the first time we are seeing this kind of thing. We are living in fear every day,” he lamented.
He called on the government to step up security in the area.
“We need more security. They should not wait until more people are killed,” Adebayo added.
The killing of Olaegbe is the latest in a series of attacks in Imeko Afon Local Government Area.
Local leaders are calling on the Ogun State Government to intervene urgently.
Chief Olabode Ajayi, a community elder, said the government must prioritize the safety of rural communities.
“We cannot allow this to continue. The government must act now,” Ajayi said.
He warned that failure to act could lead to further unrest.
“The people are angry. If nothing is done, it may become difficult to control the situation,” he added.