By Austin Ojomah
Members of Igbale Community in Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State, have petitioned the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of harassment, threats and disturbance of peace involving one Mr Lere Oni.
The petition, signed by the Igbale-in-Council and concerned members of the community, was addressed to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ikole Division, and urged the police to investigate the allegations and take necessary steps to prevent a breakdown of law and order. 
The community alleged that Oni had on several occasions visited their family farmland, known as Ugbo Omo Farm, accompanied by individuals described as touts, where he allegedly harassed and intimidated tenants occupying and working on the land.
According to the petition, the affected tenants had complained of threats and actions capable of disrupting their farming activities.
The community further alleged that Oni had ignored interventions and warnings from elders and the Sagbale-in-Council, the recognised leadership body of Igbale Community, despite efforts to resolve the matter peacefully.
“We are law-abiding citizens who believe strongly in peaceful coexistence and respect for constituted authority,” the petition stated, adding that the alleged activities were causing distress among residents and raising concerns over public safety.
The community requested that the police invite Oni for questioning, investigate the allegations and take appropriate lawful action to prevent further tension.
The petition also referenced a previous complaint submitted to the Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti in 2015 over alleged cases of hooliganism and disturbances within the community.
In that earlier appeal, community leaders accused some individuals, including Lere Oni and another person identified as Jimoh Oloodan, of engaging in activities that allegedly threatened peace in Igbale and its surroundings.
The community leaders called for intervention from traditional authorities and security agencies to restore peace and ensure harmony among residents.
Reacting to the development, a media practitioner and politician, Mr Sanni Kayode Arewa, accused Oni of allegedly engaging in activities that he said had negatively affected the community.
Arewa alleged that Oni had been involved in the sale of lands belonging to his family and other members of the community, warning prospective buyers to be cautious.
“Lere has sold all the land belonging to his family, and I have called him several times to remember what his children and future generations will inherit. It is unfortunate that after selling his family land, he is now coming to other families’ lands and attempting to sell them,” Arewa said.
He further alleged that Oni lacked the background and skills required to contribute positively to the community, claiming that his activities had created concerns among residents.
“How can someone who has no value terrorise a whole community? This kind of situation must stop,” he added.
Arewa also criticised the handling of the matter by some security officials, alleging that the process had not been fair to community leaders.
He claimed that during a meeting involving the police, Oni and community representatives, the community chiefs arrived on time but Oni arrived later after being contacted by officers.
“The chiefs got there before 12 noon waiting for him, but he did not come until after 2pm when police officers called him. This is not the kind of attitude expected in a serious matter like this,” he alleged.
Arewa called on authorities to ensure that the dispute was handled transparently and urged land buyers to verify ownership before purchasing property in the disputed areas.
“People buying land from Lere Oni and Tuba ‘Big Tree’ should be careful so they do not waste their money buying lands in Ugbo Omo and other areas around the Ikole-Ara road,” he said.
However, the allegations against Oni remain claims by the petitioners and have not been independently verified. Efforts to obtain a response from Oni were not successful as of the time of filing this report.
The community said it remains committed to peaceful resolution while calling on security authorities to intervene and ensure that law and order are maintained in Igbale.
