The killing comes amidst ongoing land disputes between the communities in Ondo State.
The Apoi Lawyers Forum (ALF) has issued a strong condemnation following the gruesome murder of Mr. Olanipekun Toyo, an indigene of Igbobini, allegedly by Ikale people of Ode-Irele.
The killing comes amidst ongoing land disputes between the communities in Ondo State.
"Igbobini, nestled as an Ijaw–Apoi community within Ese–Odo Local Government Area, has suffered from disputes exacerbated when Ikale residents crossed the Urogho river, historically a boundary, to farm on Igbobini land," explained a statement from ALF on Thursday.
Historically, conflicts flared in 2005, resulting in violent clashes and a tragic government-backed incursion that claimed the lives of five youths in Igbobini.
Recent years have seen recurrent attacks by armed bandits allegedly from Ode-Irele on Igbobini's peaceful residents, causing injuries, significant property damage, and fostering a climate of fear.
"The people of Igbobini have consistently looked to the government for justice, but impunity reigns as no perpetrator has faced prosecution despite numerous attacks," lamented ALF.
In the statement made available to SaharaReporters on Thursday, ALF alleged the recent murder of Mr. O. Toyo on June 6, 2024, during an ambush on his farm by armed Ode-Irele bandits has sparked outrage.
His lifeless body was discovered the following day in a shallow pit in the bush, yet no arrests have been made.
Responding to community grievances, the Nigerian Army conducted a raid resulting in the arrest of four bandits at Igbobini, seizing arms and ammunition.
However, transparency concerns arose as the identities of those arrested were not disclosed, and subsequent publications inaccurately described Igbobini's location.
Following a leadership meeting on June 23, 2024, the ALF called upon Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa's administration to urgently engage the Ondo State Boundary Commission to definitively resolve the contentious land claims between Igbobini and Ode-Irele.
"We demand justice for the slain Mr. O. Toyo and call on security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to fulfill their duty in apprehending the perpetrators," asserted ALF. "Failure to act risks pushing the peaceful Ijaw community of Igbobini to take matters into their own hands, which would be detrimental to governance and public order," the ALF said.
The ALF acknowledged the Nigerian Army's intervention while urging clarity and accountability in their public statements and publications regarding arrests made at Igbobini.
"We demand justice for Mr. O. Toyo and urge swift action to resolve the boundary dispute to prevent further bloodshed and property destruction," concluded the ALF's statement, underscoring the urgency of resolving long-standing grievances between Igbobini and Ode-Irele.
It said, “The current dispute is within the competence of the State boundary commission to determine and put an end to these incessant killings and wanton destruction of property.
“We also call on all security agencies particularly the Nigeria Police Force to live up to their constitutional duty to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This is the only way to ensure that justice is served.
“Failure to heed this call will be a clear indication that the peace-loving Ijaw people of Igbobini are being advised to take their destinies in their hands. Be it known that if a people are forced to take the laws in their hands, it will not augur well for both the Government and the governed.
“We thank the Nigeria Army for their effective interventions. We however urge them to always set the record straight when making publications. We call on them to publish the names and other identities of the bandits arrested at Igbobini forest on Wednesday, 12th June, 2024.”