Indigenes and Residents of Sango, Ota, a commercial hub in Ogun state have kicked against an attempt by a ‘self acclaimed Oba of Sango, Ota’, Mr. Gbohun Adebayo to install someone as Iyaloja of Sango, Ota.
Like the proverbial sleeping dog of the Sango-Ota axis that led to scores of lives lost and the destruction of properties, has yet again, awoken, and the embers of a long-dormant crisis are now fanning into flames, threatening to engulf this Awori town and his neighbourhood in chaos.
A source, who spoke with VOA News Correspondent but preferred not to be mentioned confirmed that Mr. Gbohun Adebayo has concluded plans to install Iyaloja for Sango, Ota.
Should this happen, the source said ‘it would spark resistance from the indigenous Ota, Awori people, and the consequences would result in a violent clash and the undermining of public peace’.
“Unless urgent action is taken by the state government, the brewing tension in this community may escalate beyond control, making tomorrow, Thursday, July 4, 2024, a potentially disastrous day in the Sango-Ota community and neighbourhood”. He added.
From the report gathered, our correspondent confirmed the information is word on the street and is circulating with a degree of truth to it.
Another resident of Sango-Ota who is also an active youth in the town said, “We have received credible information that a criminal element, Mr. Gbohun, whom the court has ruled not to parade himself as oba of Sango-Ota, is preparing to install the Iyaloja of Sango-Ota market tomorrow.”.
The fierce-looking young man who preferred anonymity added, “We also heard that he has been assured of police protection to carry out these criminal acts; however, we appeal to the government to prevail on the Nigerian police force, Ogun State Command, not to attempt to abbet any illegality on our land because it will be vehemently resisted.”
VOA News Correspondent also observed small clusters of abled youth gathering on the streets and huddled in corners, apparently discussing the issue as they looked bent on resistance.
At the moment of filing this report, all attempts to reach the palace of Baale of Sango-ota High Chief Wasiu Akilo proved abortive, as the phone lines, which we were supplied, did not go through. Our correspondent is still making an effort to reach the Ogun State Commissioner of Police Office in order to nip the creeping crisis in the bud.
