…pleads for security agencies’ intervention
The family of Ibuoye in Irepodun Local Government Area of the Kwara have appealed to the security agencies in the state to come to their rescue, following a threat by one Gbenga Awoyale Odidere, who is reportedly working for Oba Olapade over the demolition of the ancient Arch erected in honour of the progenitor, founder and the first King of the town, Oba Ibuoye
The Informant247 gathered that a voice note, credited to Gbenga, was said to be weighing words with Alhaji Ibrahim Gbenga Ibuoye, a prominent figure in Ibuoye family, vowing to ensure he withdraws the security escort from him.
Gbenga Awoyale, in the voice note berated Alhaji Ibuoye, calling him through different unknown numbers threatening.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Ibuoye, in his response to the threat, cautioned Gbenga, saying he should remember what they were being told by Police in Abuja, to maintain peace and return the demolished arch to normal state.
But, Gbenga, according to the voice note, said, “The world combined cannot bring back the Ibuoye ancestral Arch, it is gone and gone for life …singlehandedly, I will withdraw police escort from you, I have told the community to allow me deal with you. If I don’t withdraw escort from you, tell me I am less than a man. We are watching you before but it is over for you, go and note everything I say today” he boasted.
BACKGROUND OF THE STORY
For some years, the Arandun, a Community in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State has been experiencing crisis following the demolition of the ancient Arch erected in honour of the progenitor, founder and the first King of the town, Oba Ibuoye.
The First Information Report made available to this medium, revealed that one Olaitan Abidoye carried out the demolition on the directive of the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Ibukunle Olapade whose father was the second in command of Oba Ibuoye when he was King.
The demolition has generated lots of crisis, disunity, litigations and threat to life thereby calling the attention of members of the neighbourhood, the government and the security agencies.
The concerned members of Oba Ibuoye family, whose lives have been in danger following the series of threats against them by one Gbenga Awoyale Odidere, who is reportedly working for Oba Olapade cried out for help saying they can no longer move freely in their own town.
IBUOYE FAMILY WORRIED OVER CONTINUOUS THREAT
However, Alahaji Ibuoye, a renowned business man and miner in Nigeria cried out for his life from the said Gbenga Awoyale, saying he can no longer move freely around in his own town.
Alhaji Ibuoye, while lamenting the situation, said he is baffled at how Gbenga vowed to destroy him, adding that he got the escort legally to secure him while working on site as a miner in the bush and as a normal citizen.
He said, “I requested for the escort from the IGP because of the nature of my job in the bush as miner and to safeguard my life against the attempt on the part of Oba Ibukunle and Gbenga Awoyale who was also on the move to terminate my life. I have lodged complaint to the police over their harassment and intimidation. “I am a respecter of our laws. There is no time officers attached to me create tension or harass anyone in Arandun. They were never on mufti.
“He was cursing and telling me that he would get me killed. Awoyale and Oba Ibukunle destroyed our Arch. He is not a Chief in Arandun, he boasted that no police can arrest him on the basis that he kills anyone. Gbenga Awoyale vowed to remove Oba Ibuoye household from Arandun. If I die today, I have told my family that both Gbenga and Oba Ibukunle are responsible for it”. He said.
The head of Ibuoye family, Sunday Ibuoye, while reacting to the incident, confirmed that their lives particularly that of Alhaji Ibrahim Gbenga Ibuoye are in danger.
He said, “Gbenga, who claimed to be a politician is never one but a thug, who at one time, insulted and threatened President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. He and Oba Ibukunle initiated arrest of our people, calling us robbers because we questioned their actions in their attempt to remove Oba Ibuoye from history.
“They forgot that Oba Ibuoye house exist in government documents, having a polling unit from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and supreme Court judgement.
LAWYER CONDEMNS ATTACK ON HIS CLIENT
Barrister Olayinka Dauda Jimoh, counsel to Alhaji Ibrahim Ibuoye, condemned the publication, said to be sponsored by Gbenga Awoyale against Alhaji Ibrahim Gbenga Ibuoye, while calling on Inspector General of Police and the Kwara State Commissioner of Police Kwara State to wade in before the matter degenerate into breaking down of law.
He said, “It is important to state that “Our client is a renown businessman whose life has been under incessant threat each time he visits his home town, Arandun or his mining site around that area. As a result, many petitions have been written to IG and CP, Kwara State to unmask those behind the threat to our client’s life. From report, many lives have been taken in that area and many people kidnapped for ritual purposes with perpetrators yet to be unravelled.
“I am not unaware that some of the cases are still under police investigation while others in Court. Attaching police personnel to our client by police authority is to protect his life and property and by extension, to protect the community and its people. This is commendable.
However, an allegation that these officers are always on mufti and created tension within the township, is a way of calling a good dog a bad name so as to hang it a rope. The allegation is absolutely false in all respects. As such, we urge the police authority to disregard same.
“The security personnel have made it difficult for the thugs to attack our client. It’s therefore uncharitable for any man to call for their withdrawal when there is attempt to life. Alhaji Ibrahim Gbenga Ibuoye is a highly responsible and law abiding citizen who will never allow any illegality no matter how small to take place where he is.
“The report on our dailies contains high elements of defamation against our client. Our client has further instructed us to approach Court in his bid to have his life and name protected,” he added.