Our Reporter
Oyo State Government on Thursday said it obtained the necessary court orders before pulling down the building found to be the operational base of the Yoruba Nation Agitators.
Corenews.ng reports that, the structure, a storey-building located at Toye Oyeshola Street, Shahari area, Boluwaji, Oluyole local government area, Ibadan was demolished by the state government on Tuesday, April 16th shortly after obtaining a court order for the purpose.
The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo said with the order, the government has taken over the building stressing that the the action was taken based on an High Court Order to the effect that the building should be demolished.
A copy of the order which was sighted by Corenews.ng was obtained from High Court 11 with Suit No: M/313/2024 “Seeking orders against properties being used for illegal and criminal activities/purposes against the public safety of the citizens of Oyo state” between the state Attorney General and Unknown Persons.
The order granted the government right to demolish structures in three different areas of the state including: Alomaja, Oluyole Local Government Area; Shagari Boluwaji Sanyo Area and Fatusi Along Ayegun Olomi Area, all in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital city.
The structires were said to be used by “Yufeng Recycling Resources Nig. Ltd/Desert Minerals Limited to warehouse dangerous substances for the processing of Lithium; and by Yoruba Nation Agitators to warehouse dangerous weapons and to facilitate the carrying out criminal activities such as treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms, conducts likely to cause breach of the peace, unlawful society/assembly and allied offences, and any other ascertained location being used for criminal activities within Oyo State in the overall interest of the public safety of the citizens of Oyo State.”
Speaking on the development, the Commissioner said “It is based on Oyo State High Court Order to that effect. The state government secured the order on the 16th April, 2024.
“The Order was to the effect that the structure should be demolished. The action was taken based on an High Court Order to the effect that the building should be demolished. It also implies that the building has been taken over by the government.
“The exercise was carried out about two days ago. The court order has to do with the Yoruba Nation Agitators because we believe this building belongs to them as it is contained in the Order.
“It is also contained in the Order that the building warehouse dangerous weapons and illegal firearms and its activities going on there is causing threats to peace and tranquility of Oyo State people.”
When Corenews.ng visited the two demolished buildings demolished located at Toye Oyesola Street, Shagari some photographs were found littering the floor with some female and children clothing.
Residents spoken to in their separate remarks expressed shocked at the discoveries noting that there had never been any trace or suspicion of involvement or usage of the building for such nefarious acts.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the residence said they were aware the building belongs to one woman whose name they could not confirm.
The owner of the building it was gathered only visited once in a while as it was said she lives somewhere outside the country.
