The people of Oro community in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara State have appealed to the Commissioner of Police and the Kwara State Government to caution the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Titiloye Oyatoye, over an alleged imminent breakdown of law and order and threat to security in the community, as reported by the Nigerian Tribune.

The community made this known in a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 8, Lokoja, Kogi State, the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Oro Division.

The petition, which was jointly signed by the Baale of Oro, Chief Raphael Olateju Afolabi, the President of Oro Community Association, Professor James Bababode Bojuwoye and seven others, was made available to journalists by the national publicity secretary of Oro Community Association, Adebayo Olodan.

The people said that the monarch, during his recent visits to the community, allegedly engaged in acts of intimidation aimed at provoking the peace-loving people into violent reactions.

The community stated that several court judgements including the final proclamation of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2019, have upheld the independence of Oro, from the rulership of the Oloro of Oro Kingdom or Oloro of Oro Land.

“However, in a flagrant disregard of those several court rulings, the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye, has continued to intimidate and provoke members of Oro community through his incessant and especially trespassing on our sacred places of worship.

“Our people are under no obligation to recognise Oba Olaniyi Oyatoye in contravention of the rule of law and judgements of the highest court of the land, more so as the present supreme head of our community is the Baale, Chief Raphael Olateju Afolabi, and members of his Traditional Council of Chiefs.

“In line with the referred judgements, the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Oyatoye is not a traditional ruler over our community.

“Despite not being a Catholic/parishioner and without the consent of the would-be host, Oba Oyatoye, has twice attempted invading the Oro Catholic Church to the consternation of the leadership of our community and the Church.

“After making abortive first attempt to enter into the century-old Church for yet to be known mission, the monarch again stormed our community penultimate weekend with armed men of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), some police officers and suspected thugs – an apparent indication that Oba Oyatoye was in our community to intimidate our people and cause trouble.

“After meeting the Oro Catholic Church under lock and key as it is usually the case in the absence of official church service/programme, the traditional ruler, his Council of Chiefs and suspected thugs resulted into singing provocative songs to taunt our people while walking round our peaceful community.

The Oro community, therefore, appealed to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), being led by IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that the monarch respects the law and desist from provocative actions that could spark insecurity in the community.

The community also pleaded with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to implement the 2019 Supreme Court ruling to the letter.