Police apprehend 9 suspects over land dispute in Oyo community

The Police Command in Oyo State on Thursday said it has apprehended nine suspects in connection with the land dispute in Aagba community of Surulere Local Government Area of the state.

It was reported that the Saturday conflict led to one death, burning and looting of houses.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Oyo Command, Adewale Osifeso in a statement on Thursday said the burning, looting, and destruction of properties at Aagba community was allegedly carried out by some residents of a neighboring community over a long-standing dispute over land.

Osifeso said that the attack had forced people of Aagba community to desert the village.

“The attack appears to have been calculated and systematically carried out, targeting individuals involved in an ongoing civil litigation over the disputed land.

“The attack resulted in nine houses being razed, millions of properties looted and destroyed.

“Also a septuagenarian, one Madam Rachael Bamidele, tragically died in the aftermath of the attack,” Osifeso said.

According to him, investigations had led to the apprehension of nine suspects and recovery of three motorcycles.

The command’s spokesman said that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other known suspects who are now at large, adding that all the suspects would soon be charged to court.

Osifeso said that the state Commissioner of Police, John Adenola, had swiftly deployed the command’s specialised intelligence and tactical assets and a unit of PMF officers, to the village to ensure safety of lives and property.

“This prompt response brought about a restoration of normalcy, allowing villagers to return to their homes and resume daily activities without fear of harassment or intimidation,” he said.