Ajaawa, headquarters of Ogo-Oluwa local government in Ogbomoso zone of Oyo state has been in the news of late following recent happenings in the agrarian community which borders on spike in the rate of criminal activities.
About three weeks earlier, a family of nine was kidnapped in their hotel and they were released only after a ransom of close to five million naira (N5m) was allegedly paid, and only last week, on the day the annual Muslim Ramadan ended a butcher in the community whose name was given as Lawal Amuda, was lured out of his house and was never seen alive again. His decomposing body was seen four days after.
Following these mind-boggling crimes in an area hitherto known for its peacefulness the leadership of the community headed by the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji Atunlute Olumole II, Alajaawa of Ajaawa, declared a three-day fasting and prayer to ward off the enveloping evil, which was rounded off yesterday (Monday, May 17 to Wednesday, May 19).
Speaking with ogbomosoinsightonline.com on phone, Oba Oyetunji disclosed that the action became necessary in order “to seek the face of the Lord to help put a stop to the increasing waves of crime in the community.”
The monarch wondered why Ajaawa would suddenly become a hotbed of criminalities, averring, “Our people are peasant farmers, we don’t have money, so, why all this?”
But Oba Oyetunji disclosed other measures are being taken to avert future occurrences and ensure the security situation in Ajaawa improves.
According to him traditional security architecture in the area is to be supported so that the emerging crime situation can be combated.
“We have invited local hunters, vigilante groups and others and we charged them to increase surveillance in the community and its suburbs.”
He added, “Traditional rulers in Ogo-Oluwa local government have also met and we have encouraged ourselves to be vigilant and increase patrols so as to be on top of the situation.”
Meanwhile, ogbomosoinsightonline.com gathered that the latest known victim of crime in the area, late Lamidi Amuda, son of the Chief Imam of Ajaawa, was about breaking his fast on the said Wednesday, May 12, the day the annual Ramadan ended when he received a phone call to come and look at some cows to purchase for slaughter, being a butcher in the community.
He reportedly left his meal and hurriedly departed home to meet his callers but he was never seen alive again until Sunday, May 16, when the police found his decomposing corpse at a forest in Osupa area in the suburb of Ajaawa, at around the confluence of Amuro and Egeje rivers.
But according to the people of Ajaawa, nothing was removed from his body thus ritual killing was ruled out.
Asked if he had misunderstandings with some people, the source who however did not want his name in print, said nome of such was known. He revealed it was however being suspected that he was killed by Fulani herdsmen many of whom he bought cows from for slaughter. This is just as e stated that the whole area has been infiltrated by Fulani herdsmen constituting danger to security in the area.
Sources at Ajaawa police divisional office confirmed the incident but no arrest has been made as at the last time of filing this report.
