The Council of Ibadan Authentic Mogajis otherwise known as Family Heads
yesterday raised the alarm that unknown persons were threatening them to
desist forthwith from going to the Palace of Olubadan of Ibadan land at
Popoyemoja or risk being killed.
Addressing journalists at a
hideout in Ibadan, the spokesman of the group, Chief Wale Oladoja,
flanked by other executives of the forum, said: “Our lives are no longer
safe here. And we begin to wonder what is our offence? For standing by
the Olubadan to preserve our culture, traditional norm and values?
“Frequent
anonymous calls from the people we suspect to be agents of deaths are
threatening all of us including the Chairman seated here, Mogaji Moshood
Akere, the Vice Chairman, Mogaji Abass Oloko, the Coordinator, Mogaji
Jelili Adanla, the Financial Secretary, Mogaji Ademola Olasomi and my
humble self, to desist forthwith from going to Olubadan’s palace.
“You
recall that about a month ago, some yet to be identified gunmen stormed
the Popoyemoja palace and shot sporadically to disrupt the peace there.
Three of you journalists also escaped death by mere whiskers. What is
befalling our land, what has come over us in this great city, why are
people showing impunity and lawlessness because they wield powers today,
forgetting that tomorrow is greater than today?
“And
unfortunately too, other supporters of Kabiyesi are equally not left out
in their threat. These people include our revered Osi Olubadan, High
Chief Rashidi Ladoja, palace spokesman, Adeola Oloko, Tairu Akande,
Prince Asawale Asanike including three other Mogajis; Badmus Adewale,
Fatai Olanrewaju and Kosoko,” Oladoja stressed as others in attendance
also affirmed the call threats in unison.
Asked if the group had
reported to the police for proper investigation, Oladoja said they are
reaching out to them first through the public as represented by the
media, adding that the group was disturbed that the fleeing gunmen were
yet to be brought to justice, few weeks after the dastard act.
Oladoja
therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector
General of Police to wade in and caution whoever was behind the threat
and recent attack to desist forthwith because “God forbids, if anything
happens to any of us, we won’t take it with levity as we shall go all
out to avenge any uprising because nobody can intimidate or cow us for
being customs’ fighter and standing by the Kabiyesi.
The group
also called on the state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to call the All
Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to order for their
uncomplimentary remarks on the ongoing crisis between the government and
the Olubadan.