A citizen group, Oyo Global Forum (OGF), a worldwide network of Oyo indigenes, has asked the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi to ensure end to gang violence in Oyo.

The ancient Oyo town has been facing spate of violence caused by rival gangs of hoodlums, wrecking havoc, destroying properties and severely injuring people.

But widespread anti-violence campaign began recently after the gangs’ fights shut Akesan market twice this year alone and following concern over criminal activities of  the notorious Iseke gang, led by Anabi Iseke (prophet of Iseke) and Agbara Iseke (power of Iseke).

Besides violent attacks, residents say Iseke gang are used to collecting “tax” from shop owners and even burgle shops whose owners refuse to pay.

Interestingly, residents say after burglary, shop owners would then go to the gang to pay to collect their looted goods.

Following this crisis, OGF wrote the Alaafin a letter.

In the letter signed by its chairman, Seun Kolade and obtained on Friday, OGF noted: “the last few last years has been very torrid for law-abiding indigenes and residents of Oyo as criminal gangs have had free reign wrecking wanton havoc in certain areas of the Oyo metropolisis including but not limited to Akesan market, Ilaka, Apinni, Akesan Motor Park, Agunpopo, Isale-Oyo, Iseke and Akeetan.

“The gangsters, evidently under the influence of dangerous substances like cannabis and alcohol, seize the slightest opportunities to cause malicious damages, looting and even grievous bodily injuries to innocent people.

“The most unfortunate aspect of the dastard activities of the gangsters is that they operate in the open, mostly in broad daylight and actually have established bases spread across many parts of the metropolis.”

The group expressed regret citing instances of link between the monarch and violence in his domain.

“Bizarrely, they erect structures where they recklessly engage in smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol. In virtually all the bases, the name and picture of Your Imperial Majesty are conspicuous. These criminally-minded youths even coin names for their bases indicating that they have affinity, blessing, endorsement or patronage of Your Imperial Majesty.

 “In fact, we have it on good authority that Your Imperial Majesty took the time sometimes to be physically present during the “launch” of some of these bases. By all indices, we find this surprising and even demeaning of the institution of the Alaafin.

“We have however taken the position that Your Majesty probably mistook the youths as law-abiding and responsible group of individuals. Now that Oyo is at the mercy of the gangsters, we hereby take our deep concerns directly to Your Imperial Majesty.

“We have taken several steps to get the police to act decisively on the scourge but it appears the police are especially reluctant to act because of the perceived endorsement of the palace of the activities of the gangsters many of who actually frequent the palace. In fact, whenever the police did manage to effect some arrests, there are always pressure of certain palace officials including Alhaji Nurudeen Adeyemi (Alaafin’s younger brother who works in the Palace), one Opatola and members of a group of individuals tagged “The G 4″.

“Kabiyesi, we, as your children, strongly uphold the utmost respect and esteem that come with institution of the ALAAFIN. It goes without saying that the ALAAFIN epitomizes everything that is good and legendary about Oyo and its widely acknowledged heritage. We cannot allow gangsters to drag the name of the Alaafin in the mud. The nefarious activities of the gangs have to be eradicated.”

Therefore, OGF aasked Oba Adeyemi to order immediate dismantling of the gang bases; order palace officials to “dissociate themselves and indeed the palace from the activities of the criminal gangs, and to stop disrupting and interfering with the law enforcement agents in the discharge of their legally constituted duties“; and assure “the police of the fullest cooperation in the quest to arrest and prosecute gang members as part of their efforts to rid Oyo of the unwelcome stigma of being a violent and unsafe town to live and trade in.”

It also demanded that Adeyemi should “support and work with the police to ensure that gang members surrender their weapons to the police.”

 Source: Naij