Panic has gripped Aponmu-Lona community in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State after three persons were arrested for allegedly poisoning the only stream serving as drinking water for residents.
One of the suspects, identified as Odefila Philips, was dramatically caught in the act by vigilant villagers, who swiftly overpowered him and handed him over to the police.
Following his arrest, two other suspected accomplices were picked up by operatives and are now in custody at the Idanre Police Division.
Raising the alarm, the traditional ruler of the community, Chief Babalola Bolujare, the Olu of Aponmu-Lona, said the shocking incident is linked to an ongoing land dispute involving suspected hoodlums who earlier invaded the community and destroyed cocoa plantations and other crops.
According to him, the community had already petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) over the invasion before the latest development.
“But while investigation into the invasion was ongoing, some persons went ahead to poison the stream we drink from. Luckily, they were spotted and one of them was caught,” the monarch said.
He revealed that the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation to working for an engineer connected to the earlier invasion, leading to the arrest of two more suspects.
The monarch called on security agencies to act swiftly to prevent further escalation, warning that the situation could spiral into a major communal crisis if not handled decisively.
“We are calling on the Inspector General of Police to ensure this matter is thoroughly investigated and not swept under the carpet,” he added.
A petition filed by the community’s lawyers had earlier warned of a looming breakdown of law and order between neighbouring communities, urging urgent intervention to avoid a repeat of past communal clashes.
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the arrest of a suspect and said investigations were ongoing, though he did not give details on the total number of persons in custody.
