By Oyeniyi Esan
Within eight houses, one hotel and four uncompleted buildings of Prince Gideon Adeboye Oyekunle, popularly known as Ade Master, were burnt down by the angry youths of Ajawa community of Ogbomosho in Oyo State as members of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force were held hostage as bandits on the 27th of May, 2021, in an attempt to arrest an Ifa priest, Babanifa.
An interactive session with Ade Master revealed that the Jawa community has witnessed series of kidnappings, abductions and assassinations, which included one Lamidi Eleran, son of the Chief Imam of the town.
Ade Master revealed: “I was indoor with my family when we heard serious noise on the street that kidnappers have invaded our community and Chief has been kidnapped alongside. However, the youths of the town have done well by resisting and attacking the said unknown gunmen.
“This was the time I was informed that unknown gunmen have attempted to kidnap Chief Adeoye Ifaleye, known as Babanifa. It was great news as the youths have taken bold steps to resist criminal activities in broad daylight. I was informed that kidnappers are at the Ajawa Police and I left the people appreciating their courage in the company of three police officers attached to me from the Special Protection Unit.
“Getting to the Ajawa police station, the sight was pitiful because of the damages done by the mob and every police officers have deserted the place. I saw different files and papers scattered around a damaged Sienna Toyota, they claimed the kidnapped came with. Checking the information on the papers, there is an impression that they must be police officers.
“This was how I called the Area Commander of Ogbomosho, immediately to relate the issue with him but to my surprise, he said those persons alleged by the residents are police officers, not kidnappers.
“The area commander also added that they reported to Owode before been directed to Ajawa after they have been booked for the investigation in respect to the issue of kidnapping, and he begged me to be of help, manage the crisis as regards the safety of his people.”
He also noted that “Based on this information passed to me by the Area Commander, I need to address the youths to inform them that they are police officers but they started stoning us as we whisked away the wounded police officer lying on the ground with the help of DPO of Operate Station.
“This is how rescued him to hospital with the help of Safer Highway service in the presence of the youths clamouring to burn down the station insisting that other men are still inside. Not knowing that kind gesture rendered to the officer attracts a huge price as events begin to unfold.
“The fourth day after the incident, then the youths of Ajawa led by Oyeniran Pata Nla, who was said to have been crowned a new title for his bravery against the police as the Youth Leader (Olori Odu) following the instructions by Alajaawa Oba Adeyeye Oyetunji, invaded my house because of a Royal battle that has been settled by the court of law.
“I ran away with my family with the news that all my belongings have been burnt down, as I speak I’m completely doomed for helping a police officer in danger of the mob as duty demands me to do making me lose a great fortune.”
