Father of three killed in land dispute

A 40-year-old man, Seyi Oladipo, was killed yesterday in a land dispute between Ayede-Ekiti and Itaji-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The two communities are fighting for the control of Orisunmibare, a portion of land between them.

The youth of Ayede trooped out in their numbers to protest the killing of Oladipo, who is survived by a wife and three children.

They accused the Baale (village head) of Orisunmibare of firing the shot that killed Oladipo.

The Baale was said to have fled as the youth have launched a manhunt for him.

The angry youth stormed the palace of the Attah of Ayede, Oba Mumini Orisagbemi, to protest before heading to the palace of the Onitaji of Itaji, Oba Adamo Babalola.

The Onitaji’s palace was prevented from being set ablaze by policemen mobilised from Oye Divisional Police Headquarters.

An eyewitness, Segun Ajayi, said the crisis was sparked by the alleged encroachment of Ayede land by the people of Orisunmibare who allegedly carried out a survey on the land last week fueling tension.

Ajayi said : “The people of Orisunmibamire came some years back to require for a portion of land in that area for farming. In actual fact, the land in the area belongs to Itaji people and our monarch directed them to the then Onitaji for proper action.

“They were given the land and we have been coexisting peacefully. But later, they started encroaching on Ayede’s land. About a week ago, they started doing the survey of a portion of land in our area and we cautioned them.

“People from Itaji and Ayede met on the land yesterday for resolution. But as they were discussing the issue, the village head invaded the place with guns. As the argument intensified, the village head threatened to shoot and all of a sudden we heard a gunshot and Seyi was on the ground”.

Police spokesperson Alberto Adeyemi confirmed the killing and arrest of two persons.

Adeyemi said: “I have just confirmed that there was a protest in the town over the death of a person but everything is now under control. Two people have been arrested while others are also being trailed by our men over the incident.”