February 10, (THEWILL) – The national leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), has condemned Wednesday’s attack on the Arepo Journalists’ Estate Phase 1, Arepo, Ogun State by some hoodlums, thugs and members of the Beachland Estate Residents Association (BERA), allegedly with the backing of the Olu of Arepo, Oba Atanda Oyebi.
A statement signed in Abuja on Thursday, by the National Secretary of NUJ, Walin Shadalafiya, titled, STOP THIS IMPUNITY, said: “We condemn in strong terms the recent invasion, criminal destruction to property and threat to life against Journalists by residents of Beachland Estate allegedly led by a Traditional Ruler.
“It was reported that on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, the said Traditional Ruler led some of his chiefs to invade Arepo Estate (Journalists Estate), to destroy the Entrance Arc, located at the point of entry to the Estate, using hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons.
“This ugly development must be curtailed forthwith and decisively. A situation where traditional authorities take laws into their hands with reckless abandon like in this case is unacceptable, more so, when the reason given for the destruction of the Estate Entrance Arc was allegedly because the Journalists in the Estate did not pay homage to the palace (Give bribe), before the construction.
“We appeal to Ogun State Authorities to urgently identify and hold to account, all persons behind this dastardly act and willful destruction of property. These acts of impunity in the country, especially against Journalists and their property are far too many and should be stopped immediately.
“Attacking Journalists and their property as done by public figures for whatever reason like the shameless display in Arepo Estate, is ignoble and irresponsible. No decent community should engage in this.
“Journalists should be encouraged to work without fear of harassment, wherever they may reside, because anything short of this is to deny them their freedom.”
The call came on a day the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), also condemned in strong terms the attacks on residents of Journalists Estate Phase 1, Arepo, Ogun State, by members of the Beachland Estate Residents Association (BERA) and the Olu of Arepo, Oba Atanda Oyebi, over the years.
Chairman of Lagos NUJ, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, who condemned the incessant attacks on Thursday, called on Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State to speedily intervene in the crisis.
Ajayi noted that immediate intervention by the Ogun State Government would prevent a breakdown of law and order in the Estate and would also prevent miscreants from perpetrating evil under any guise.
THEWILL reports that earlier on Wednesday, residents of Journalists Estate Phase One Arepo, under the auspices of Journalists’ Estate Residents Development Association (JERDA Phase 1), sent a ‘Save Our Souls’ Message to Governor Abiodun for his intervention.
A statement jointly signed by the Chairman, JERDA Phase 1, Mrs Olufunke Fadugba and General Secretary, Mr Toye Olori, noted that the threats had now turned to direct invasion with regular invasion of the estate by BERA members with the alleged connivance of the Olu of Arepo.
“On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, over 50 BERA residents, led by one Mr Emmanuel Akudinobi, including some chiefs from the palace of the Olu of Arepo, invaded our estate and destroyed our entrance arc, located at the point of security access into our estate.
“After an initial discussion to prevent the destruction, it was jointly agreed to meet with the traditional ruler later in the day to discuss the issues and resolve the matter amicably, the statement read in part.
“According to the statement, it took a strong restraint of JERDA members and some elders in the estate, for the invasion not to degenerate into full-blown skirmish.
“However, after a while, thugs, armed with cudgels, in company of some chiefs and the said Emmanuel Akudinobi, came back from the palace of the Olu of Arepo, where they boasted to have received the order to destroy the arc installed by JERDA Phase 1 with millions of Naira belonging to our members.
“They first set about the arc with axes and diggers, to weaken the foundation and seeing that it was not budging, they then drove an Ayab Truck over it to bring it down violently.
“The steel arc is a new one in replacement of the initial one that gave way for the road construction currently going on.
“The replacement of the arc was after due approval from the State Ministry of Works and under its thorough engineering supervision, it added.
“The new arc was installed on Tuesday, February 7, 2022, with due notice to relevant authorities, including the Police at Warewa Police station and the Ogun State Ministry of Works as well as the Ministry of Physical Planning.
“The approved installation was witnessed by an Ogun State Ministry of Works assigned engineer and inspected later by senior official from the State government and it was confirmed that we followed due process and specifications as approved by the state
“The chiefs, who accompanied the crowd of thugs, openly boasted that the Olu of Arepo gave BERA members and his chiefs the directive that the arc should be destroyed.
“The reason given, among others, was that we did not pay “homage” to the palace, before erecting the arc and that No other authority can override that of the Olu of Arepo.
“The estate arc has been at this landmark point since the inauguration of the estate in 2003 and delineates the allocated perimeter approved by the Ogun State Government. The location of the arc also serves as a security outpost for the estate and has been instrumental in warding off security threats not only to our estate but also members of BERA,’’ the statement explained.
Residents of the Journalists Estate said they recognised the progress made so far, by Ogun State Government at ensuring the upliftment of lives of residents of Ogun State with the current massive rehabilitation of the Journalists Estate Road in Arepo as a major signpost of these giant strides across the state.
“However, despite your laudable activities in this regard, as well as your relentless efforts at ensuring peace and safety of the citizens of the state, we want to bring to your notice and that of the general public, the activities of some unscrupulous elements, which have become persistent threat to lives, incessant invasion and constant harassment by residents of Ebute under the name Beachland Estate Residents Association (BERA), against members of JERDA Phase 1.
“BERA’s constant acts of harassment are being perpetrated in connivance with the Olu of Arepo, Oba Atanda Oyebi and his chiefs, with the aim of annihilating us from the community.
“There has been physical confrontation and verbal threats to lives of members of Journalists Estate Phase One, comprising notable members of the journalism profession and many others in various professional fields of repute.
“Sir, it will be worthy to let you know that BERA members have over the years been given unfettered access to connect their estate without any form of molestation, but they are now insisting that we should not put any security measure in place to safeguard lives and property at Journalists estate, Phase One. They vowed not to allow us to install any form of landmark at our point of entrance and exit into the estate.
“This selfish attitude is not applied to the two entrances into Beachland Estate, where they have fully-fitted security outposts with serious scrutiny of visitors into their environment.
“We had offered joint security approaches severally in the past to achieve peaceful co-existence with our neighbours. However BERA residents have gone further to curry favour from the Olu of Arepo to frustrate every effort we have made.
“With the support of the Olu of Arepo and a number of hoodlums in the community, BERA members, led by Emmanuel Akudinobi, have become a threat to our lives and property in Journalists Estate.
“We have made several overtures to address their perceived grievances over the years, but they have become more violent in their bid to frustrate our effort to secure the lives of our members, our families and the estate.
“Now, they are being openly backed by the Olu of Arepo, his chiefs and some hoodlums.
“We would like to put the government on notice of those who have an aversion to peace in this community and may be working against efforts of the government to protect lives and property of citizens.
“Beyond our control, the population growth in Arepo, buoyed by constant influx of young people from all parts of the country, is becoming a resting reservoir to communal violence and destruction that may thwart the efforts of the state government.
“This is a Save Our Souls message to Your Excellency Sir and the State Government, that a situation, where the Olu of Arepo will be the arrow head of criminal destruction of property with contumacious impunity, is a threat to peace and lives of citizens and must not be allowed to stand.
“The Olu of Arepo cannot be at par with the government of Ogun State, from which permission was sought and obtained to install the arc.
“The audacious destruction of the arc portends great danger to our lives and property and as well sends the wrong message that the Olu of Arepo can take the laws into his hands, by destroying communal properties.
“We are, therefore respectfully asking that the Police be invited into the community forthwith, to view the destruction caused to the arc, with a view to commencing investigation and prosecution of the known perpetrators, led by the Olu of Arepo.
“This is with a view to getting the destroyers to replace the arc.” They added.
The statement, therefore, urged Governor Abiodun to direct the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, to initiate appropriate sanctions against the Olu of Arepo, for his unsavoury role in the destruction of the newly constructed arc, which was purely an act of criminal damage to property and an affront to duly constituted authority under the governor’s leadership .
The residents urged the Police to do a thorough job, by bringing culprits to book, ensuring they reinstall the arc, which no doubt would enhance the beauty of the road when completed by the government and guarantee safety of Journalists and their families against attacks by land grabbers aided by the monarch.
