Ilaje – Relative peace have since return to Igbokoda, administrative headquarters of Ilaje local government area in Ondo state, after months of cult clashes that resulted in the death of no fewer than five persons.

The development which may not be unconnected to the recent deployment of stern looking security operatives to the area, have received commendation from Emmanuel Lebile, a former house of assembly candidate, Ilaje Constituency II.

Lebile, who contested on the platform of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in 2019 elections, gave the commendation last Friday, via a telephone chat with our reporter.

According to the ex house of assembly candidate, the ongoing intervention has erased apprehensions that once gripped the town in the better part of last year.

He described it as, “a job weldone”, urging the security operatives to go after the criminals sponsors, and “bringing everyone of them to justice”, to restore sanity in Igbokoda and environs.

“some people have decide to continue to champion the unrest as they benefit from the community instability”, lebile further added

Recall, the member representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Kolade Akinjo at plenary in November, called on the Police and Navy to deploy additional men to the area, to help restore orderliness to forstall further lose of lives.

However, a source at the Olu of Igbokoda palace, stressed, the traditional ruler, Oba Odidiomo Afolabi Oladimeji Ilarada l was working with the security agencies, to further sustain the effort to ensure safety of lives and properties in his domain.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Igbokoda, has declared wanted a man, Iwatan Bamitale and his gang over alleged criminal activities in the coastal area of the state.

Commanding officer of the naval Base, commodore Danjuma Ndanusa told journalists last Friday in Igbokoda, that Bamitale, an indigene of Ilaje and his gang were responsible for several kidnapping activities, illegal bunkering, sea robberies, cult related activities, killings and rape in the area.

Commodore Ndanusa said, the Navy could no longer fold its arms and watch criminals turn the coastal areas to a volatile terrain for law abiding citizens.

“Several cult killings and rape cases in Igbokoda and its environs were reportedly masterminded by Bamitale and his cohorts”, Ndanusa told journalists

He said that three members of Bamitale’s gang: ThankGod Edema (Adono), Odun Ogunse (Akaba) and Sunday Adeojo (Gatuso) had been arrested naval operatives and handed over to the Department of State Security Service (DSS) for further interrogation