The residents of Ìrele community in the Ìrele Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised concerns about the increasing frequency of attacks on their community.
These attacks have resulted in various degrees of injuries to residents and the destruction of farmlands.
Several residents expressed fear and apprehension over the situation. Many residents have reportedly opted to leave the area in search of safer locations due to the recurring attacks.
According to reports from PUNCH, multiple videos of the attacks’ aftermath, shared through a WhatsApp message with its correspondent on Thursday, show the property, including houses and motorcycles, said to have been razed down.
One of the residents of the community, Mr Fashadeju Wokan, said, “We have reported the case to the police station. We have witnessed attacks by bandits. I am going to the police station now to ask them why they would continue to take our complaints for granted. We made a report about the rising cases of attacks, but nothing has been done to date.
“These people will invade our community, burn down houses, and destroy our farmlands. Farmers can no longer go to their farms because of these people. When they attack our communities, they cover their faces with masks and come with motorcycles. We have reported this matter on several occasions, but nothing has been done. They shoot sporadically into the air whenever they attack. They have polluted our water.
“The last time they attacked, they destroyed the bridge that linked us to other communities. They set our houses ablaze. This attack started in March 2022. They are operating periodically. They could invade us this month, and then they may never show up throughout the period until three months later. Each time they attack, they find a way to escape.”
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The Igbeleju of Irele, Chief Tola Omogunwa, said the community had become hapless since the attacks, which have seen residents abandoning their farms, began.
Omogunwa said, “They injured a lot of people. They burnt down houses. They destroyed the bridge that connects us to the farm. All our farmlands have been destroyed by these people. We reported the matter to the police Area Command. But they don’t want to call it banditry.
“I don’t understand. When hooded and masked people invade a community, burn down houses, destroy farmlands, terrorise residents, and then flee, what do you call them? The attacks have been on the increase since they started in 2022. They invade the community, destroy property, and then flee the community.”
