The people of Igbanko Community in Olorunda LCDA Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State, has lamented over the ‘unlawful invasion’ of their community by Oba Sheriff Bello, the Oba of Irede, Oriade LCDA Amuwo Odofin Lagos, over a Chieftaincy Tittle, whose case is still pending before the Supreme Court.
The residents made their plights known on Friday, during an interaction with News-Port Nigeria, said their children can no longer go to school due to series of threats from Oba Sheriff , whose Leadership stool is at Irede Oriade LCDA and he is enforcing himself on the people for rulership.
Speaking on behalf of Igbanko Community, the Community Secretary,Prince Olurotimi Akinyele, said the community was invaded on Sunday, 26th and Monday 27th February, 2022, lamented over the refusal of Oba Sheriff Bello, to stay in his domain at Oriade where he was installed.
“The Oba shares the same title “Onigbanko” with us same as we have Oloto of Oto at Oto Awori and also Oloto at Oto at Ido in Lagos mainland but they all maintain their territory without interference. The refusal of Oba Sheriff, to maintain his domain in Oriade LCDA, has really posed a big threat as our lives are been endangered on daily basis and we can no longer condone it.” He said
Prince Olurotimi who spoke in a helpless tune, expressed that nobody is safe in the community, hence the Oba has resolved to invade their people with Security agencies and thugs, leaving many injured.
He further noted that the Oba in his capacity has decided to use security agencies to intimidate the people, brutalized and detained their people who came out to defend the community against the invaders, disclosed that Igbanko Community has been spending a lot of money to bail their people from Police custody.
“As I am talking to you now, schools are shut down”. There is tension all over the community because of the threats from Oba Sheriff Bello .This is our ancestral land. We do not have elsewhere to go with our children. He added.
Several documents made available to News-Port Nigeria, revealed that both Kings have reigned simultaneously for years had enjoyed recognition of the Lagos State Government before the death of Oba Josiah Akintoye Amore who died at Igbanko Badagry in 1977.
NewsPort Nigeria also gathered that Oba Sheriff Bello has his own domain of kingship at Irede ,Oriade LCDA Amuwo as contained in their approval letter which is over 50km far away from Igbanko having 3 local gvt between them namely;
a) Ojo Local Government Council
b) Iba Local Council Development Area
c) Oto Awori Local Council Development Area.
The people who tendered different evidences, said that they have written petition to the office of the Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Ministry of Education, Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs,The Executive Chairman Olorunda LCDA Badagry alongside other agencies, but there is no intervention yet.
They now call on relevant stakeholders to as a matter of urgency act and restrict Oba Sheriff Bello and his entourage from their community, to stay in his jurisdiction .and to the Lagos State Government to please review the crises affecting Igbanko Chieftaincy stool and re-enact the decision of Governor Lateef Jakande in 1982 for restoration of the 1982 declaration and installation of Oba of Igbanko since the two communities are not geographically located for the much yearn peace to be restored.
