• Our community is now a den of criminals where stealing, raping and cultism have become the order of the day

Ode Erinje Community in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State has called on Security Agencies in Ondo State for urgent help over the spate of insecurity and social vices ravaging the town.

In a letter addressed to the Divisional Police Officer of Okitipupa Local Government and signed by traditional chiefs and stakeholders led by the regent of the town, His Royal Majesty, Adekoye Ipinsanmi Emmanuel, the Community leaders said some hoodlums have highjacked the town, thereby turning the community to a den of criminals where stealing, raping and cultism have become the order of the day.

“We write as concerned indigenes of Erinje Community to vehemently register our displeasure over the rampaging criminal activities which have overtaken our erstwhile peaceful community.”

“Before now, Erinje Community has been known for her relative peace which most of the neighbouring communities have been emulating, not until recently when some hoodlums have highjacked our community, thereby turning our town to a den of criminals even to the dislike of average peaceful indigenes and outsiders.”

“It has become an order of the day at Ode Erinje that an innocent lady or even a married woman can just be accosted along the road, stripped naked and raped by hoodlums. Not only that, stealing is no longer a crime at Ode Erinje, it has become the order of the day.”

“Apart from the vandalism and cultism, all sorts of social vices cannot be overemphasised. Hence our coming together as representatives and stakeholders of the town to seek the assistance of the Law Enforcement agencies to help restore the perennial peace the town is known for.”

“Your timely intervention is needed in putting the community back to its normal and usual peaceful status.”

“We are ready to work with your team to fish out these hoodlums and this we shall do without fear or favour,” the statement said

Starnews Nigeria reports that the letter was signed by HRM Adekoye Ipinsanmi Emmanuel, the Regent of Erinje Kingdom, High Chief Adewole Obamomoye, the Odofin of Erinje Kingdom, High Chief Ayodele Seja, the Holo Akoko of Ode Erinje and High Chief Taiwo Balogun, the Lema of Erinje Kingdom,”

“Others include High Chief Akinbolade Kayode, the Ayadi of Erinje Kingdom, High Chief Anthony Aderehinwo, the Ojan of Erinje Kingdom, High Chief Martins Olajorin, the Oshogbon of Erinje Kingdom and High Chief Daniken Adeyemi, the Basorun of Erinje Kingdom.”

“Other signatories are Chief Sunday Funmilayo, the Ojajune of Erinje Kingdom, Chief Ayeegbe Ademuwagun, the Tobalase of Erinje Kingdom, Chief Akinbami Oyeyemi, the Akinbami of Erinje Kingdom, Dr Dapo Iwala, the Otunba of Erinje Kingdom, Chief Oladipupo Akinmola, the Ojimu of Erinje Kingdom, Chief Ayetomowo Akindutire, the Anigilaje of Erinje Kingdom, Chief Abiodun Ilesanmi, the Akatakun of Erinje Kingdom, S.B Erinsakin, John Ogwamoboye, and Hon. Adeluwoye Temitope.”

Brief History of Ode Erinje

Ode – Erinje town is a community under Okitipupa local government of Ondo State. It comprises other villages like Obonde, Odolawe, Igedegese. These villages have bales (village head) under the Orungberuwa of Erinje, the king.

Not until the present Igodan Lisa in Okitipupa Local Government was granted Obaship status, it was part of Ode-Erinje kingdom and the Orungberuwa was customarily appointing the Lisa (chief head) for the community.

Festivals in Ode-Erinje are Aluma ,Ere and iwo.

The immediate past Oba S.A.O Akinlalu II, the Orungberuwa of Erinje kingdom ascended the throne in the year 1949 and died in the year 2016.

Ever since then, the community is yet to install a new king. A regent, His Royal Majesty, Adekoye Ipinsanmi Emmanuel is the presiding traditional head of the town pending when a new king would be installed.

In those days, Ode Erinje didn’t rely on any law enforcement agents or vigilance groups for protection, they rely on nature’s defence, a swarm of bees which according to history, had helped them in the past during communal war and based on historical record, they have mystical power on how to summon the swarm of bees to help them fight the enemies whenever the need arises.

According to Oral history, it was part of what their forefathers and ancestors inherited in the ancient days and passed down from one generation to the other.