Men of the Ondo State police command have begun an investigation into the alleged plan to poison the stream that serve as the source of drinking water for the people of Aponmu-Lona in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.
One of the suspects, Philips Odefila, was allegedly caught in the act by members of the community and was immediately handed over to the police for further investigation.
The traditional head of the community, Chief Babalola Bolujare, the Olu of Aponmu-Lona, disclosed that the community is currently in a tussle with some hoodlums who invaded their community and destroyed the tree crops.
Addressing reporters on Friday, Bolujare stated that the community had petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) regarding the invasion of their community by armed gangs.
According to Chief Bolujare, the IGP had since ordered an investigation into the invasion of the community by the armed gang who he said had destroyed the means of livelihood of the people.
Bolujare, flanked by other lead- ers of the community, said that while the investigation was ongoing, Odefila was allegedly caught poisoning the water being drunk by the people of the community.
He said the residents instantly arrested him and handed him over to the police for a proper investigation into why he poisoned the water. He explained that in the course of interrogation, two other accom- plices had been arrested by the police.
The Olu of Aponmu-Lona, therefore, called on the police to ensure proper investigation and prosecution of the culprit.
He said: “We have petitioned the IGP over the invasion of our com- munity by some armed thugs who destroyed our cocoa plantations and other crops.
“They claimed that the land be- longs to the person who sent them. “But while the investigation into the invasion is still going on, some people went to poison the stream that we are drinking from in our community.
“Thank God that they sighted them when they were poisoning the water and one of them was arrested by the people of our community.
“They contacted the police and he was handed over to the police for investigation. “Two other accomplices of the culprit have been arrested by the police.
“We are calling on the IGP to help us out by ensuring a proper investigation into this incident and the prosecution of the culprits.
“He should ensure this matter is not swept under the carpet.” The community through their lawyer, Tobi Ogunleye, had written a petition over the looming crisis over land dispute between Akure, the state capital, and the neighbouring Idanre over the ownership of lands bordering the two communities.
In the petition titled: “Re: Urgent Call To Avert Looming Communal Warfare Between Akure And Idanre Communities, Flagrant Criminal Contempt Of Court And Malicious Destruction Of Economic Crops,” and addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the petitioners requested quick intervention to prevent breakdown of laws and order between the two communities.
The petition reads in parts: “Our clients hereby humbly pray to your esteemed office to quickly and earnestly act to prevent and avert the possible breakdown of law and order between the two communities.
