Oyo state government has cleared the air on its reasons for the demolition of buildings allegedly belonging to suspected Yoruba Nation agitators and some illegal miners at different parts of Ibadan, the capital city of the state.
The demolished buildings belonging to the suspected Yoruba Nation agitators are located at Shagari Boluwaji, Sanyo area and Fatusi along Ayegun Olomi area, while the structure allegedly belonging to the suspected illegal miners located at Alomaja, all in Oluyole local government, Ibadan.
The state government stated that it secured an order of the High Court in Ibadan on April 16,for the demolition of the affected buildings
The Oyo state Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Development, William Akin-Funmilayo, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Thursday, April 18 at Toye Oyesola street, Shagari area of Boluwaji, site of the demolished building allegedly belonging to the suspected Yoruba Nation agitators.
It would be recalled that the Oyo State had on Tuesday demolished a building located at Toye Oyesola Street, Sagari, Boluwaji area of Ibadan which it claimed belonged the suspected Yoruba Nation agitators who invaded the Oyo State Government Secretariat on Saturday, April 13.
The commissioner who conducted journalists round the building said the government would not condone any form of criminal hideout in any part of state while calling the people to say something whenever they see something in their community.
He said: “The demolition was carried out two days ago. We obtained a court order from the High Court on April 16, 2024 to demolish the building, having got information that the Yoruba Nation agitators used the place. This building belongs to them. It houses dangerous weapons.
“The state government will give you peace of mind. The government is here to maintain security. We implore the residents to say something when they see something. I will implore them to report any illegal and life-threatening activities to the government”.
The chairman, Landlord/Landladies Association of Ododudu Area of Fatusi village, Irorun Oluwa zone 4, Ayegun Olomi, who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde immediately take possession of the demolished site and level the place to avoid criminal elements from further making the community inhabitable for residents as people living in the area are already living in palpable fear following the demolition.
Earlier, the Secretary of the Landlord/Landladies Association who also spoke anonymously narrated how the suspected Yoruba Nation agitators who wielded guns invaded their community on motorcycles and two buses while the Association’s meeting was ongoing and creating panic and fear among residents who scampered for safety.
The Secretary who noted that the community has a strong community watch security network and vigilance said nobody suspected anything until the fateful day the suspects invaded the community and also appealed that the state government should as a matter of urgency move in and level the place to prevent criminal elements from making use of the demolished site for their criminal activities and putting lives and properties of residents in danger.