The Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has ordered an immediate revocation of the land where suspected ritualists and kidnappers were discovered over the weekend in Ibadan.
The governor, accompanied by the commissioner of police and the members of the executive council, inspected the area and ordered an investigation into the incident.
The vast expanse of land, lying fallow for some years, became a safe haven to perpetrate heinous crimes from kidnapping to ritual killings.
Abandoned footwear, clothes, some branded vehicles and decomposed body parts were some of the signs of the number of persons that have been killed there.
A resident said that there had been petitions sent to government authorities about the place and that the owners had claimed they were taking care of mad people there.
“If truly they are taking care of made people here, why do we see dead bodies around,” The resident, who did not disclose his name, questioned.
At the place, called “Forest of Horror” the governor said that the government would take over the land.
“We are going to revoke all the Certificates of Ownership for all the owners in this area. Government is taking it over. We have set up an investigative body. We have a forensic expert from the University of Ibadan to work with the police,” Governor Ajimobi said.
The governor reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling poverty in the state.
“We have been able to identify some jobless youths that we will be able to engage. We have advised the residents not to take laws into their hands,” he said
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Indabawa, said that the police would investigate the case thoroughly and whoever is found wanting would certainly go to court for prosecution.
The residents, however, stressed the need for the government to expedite action on the issues.
