ONIDO SUSPENSION: IDO YOUTHS HAIL MAKNDE, CONDEMN BABALOLA

 

ONIDO SUSPENSION: IDO YOUTHS HAIL MAKNDE, CONDEMN BABALOLA

Since the suspension of Muritala Gbolagade Babalola as the Onido of Ido, various groups have reacted to the February 2^nd order by the state government.

In a statement issued by the Honorable Commissioner for Information, Mr Babalola was allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in the area.

It will be recalled that a very fatal explosion rocked Bodija area of Ibadan recently caused by activities of illegal miners.

Babalola’s alleged involvement therefore constitutes grave danger to the lives of people of, not only Ido, but the entire Ido-Ibarapa zone.

The Ido Youth Assembly, comprising mainly young upward mobile young indigenes of Ido however sees beyond the single allegation.

According to them, Mr. Gbolagade Babalola has been involved in many more heinous crimes.

Some of the illegal activities include, but not limited to, the following.

LAND GRABBING: Gbolagade  Babalola used his fraudulently acquired position as Onido to acquire land belonging to many families and villages in and around Ido. He used money and influence, coupled with threats and violence to silence the rightful owners. The coveted land were sold to prospectors and developpers.

ILLEGAL MINING: Gbolagade has over the years been involved with activities of illegal miners in the area. He gave them cover and sheltered them in his house at Ilaji. He thus desecrated the throne of Onido by using his position to foster illegality and crime. This gross abuse of office did not go unnoticed by people but they were helpless until the government got wind of the danger Gbolagade had been exposing the life of people to.

HARBORING OF KILLER HERDSMEN: A few years back when some killer herdsmen were driven away from neighboring Ibarapa land, Gbolagade provided refuge for the fleeing Fulani criminals. He created a Kara for them at Ilaju to stay and cover for their illicit business. The murderous guests terrorized their host communities. Rape of innocent girls and women was rampant. Men and youngsters were mugged and attacked by the Fulani men. People dared not move around after six PM.

THUGGERY AND VIOLENCE: Gbolagade has a group of thugs he kept that engage in various nefarious activities including drug abuse and peddling. They terrorize the environment and the people were helpless. They extort money and valuables from markets, transport owners and drivers and others in the name of the suspended Onido.

These and other nefarious activities have ceased since his suspension.

The youth express their gratitude and appreciation to the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde for his prompt action.

They appeal to the Governor to expedite action in the matter and make sure all culprits are brought to book.