Bandits attack, burn house of community leader

There was pandemonium at Igoba community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State as some bandits attacked and burnt the house of a community leader at night.

The community leader, identified as Abiodun Temitope Ezekiel, was said to have escaped the midnight attack by the armed bandits on a tip-off.

Speaking with journalists in his hideout, the community leader disclosed that the bandits had come to kill him because he was responsible for the arrest of some members of their gang by the police.

He said the bandits have been troubling the residents of Igoba community and its environs for some time as they robbed, raped and at times killed some of their victims.

Mr. Abiodun Temitope Ezekiel said he decided to informed the police when he was able to identify two of them at a beer parlour where they usually gathered to enjoy their loots.

When four among members of the gang were arrested by the police, they stopped coming to the beer parlour.

He further said: “But I was hinted by someone who got the information that the bandits were suspecting me as the one who blew up their lid.

“I was advised by the person to leave the community because she was sure the bandits would come after me.

“I then decided to leave the community on the same day for Akure only to receive a call from my neighbour in the middle of the night to verify if I was at home.

“When I picked my call, he asked with fear in his voice where I was. I told him I was out of town. He then told me that he heard some people shooting in my house and that my house was in flame.

“I later in the day received images of the remains of my razed home. I called the police station I was dealing with to inform them of the ugly development.

“On condition of anonymity, one of the police officers confided in me that they were investigating who could have disclosed my identity to the bandits among them.

“He advised me not to return to the community. Also, he later revealed to me that the bandits are still looking for me. 

“According to him, the bandits are highly connected and well spread, thereby warning me to always look my back wherever I run to.”

But the police command has said its men are on the trail of the assailants as it promised to bring them to book.

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