Octogenarian seeks protection against family destruction
The family of an Ibadan based octogenarian, Mrs. Abimbola Olaosebikan, got a rude shock recently, when people suspected to be members of the Ogboni fraternity, burnt down her property.
Following this development, she called both local and international communities to protect her and her family members from the group, as the entire family is now living in fear since then ugly incident.
The family matriarch also sought the help of human rights groups to save her granddaughter, Precious Oluwajomiloju Olukanni, who is said to be the target of the group led by her father, Mr. Olubunmi Olukanni.
According to the family, the suspected cult leader allegedly threatened to kill Mrs. Olaosebikan, if she fails to turn in Precious to him.
Mrs. Olaosebikan spoke at a special interactive session organized by the Nigerian Forum of Human Rights Journalist (HRJ) in Lagos recently.
Speaking through the family spokes-person, Mr. Bowale Olaosebikan, the octogenarian said trouble started when Olubukola’s affairs with Olubunmi resulted in a contested pregnancy that produced Precious.
Olaosebikan said Olubukola informed Olubunmi of the pregnancy, but he refused to take responsibility for it and insisted on an abortion.
He said “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to local and international organizations, especially human rights groups across the globe, to save our aged mother, Mrs. Abimlola Olaosebikan; her granddaughter, Precious Oluwajomiloju Olukanni and the Olaosebikan family from people suspected to be members of the Ogboni Fraternity.
“We are shocked a few months ago, when Olubunmi Olukanni approached our family to forcefully take custody of Precious, after the demise of his father, who was allegedly a leading member of the Ogboni Fraternity in the community.
This is a child he has not seen since birth. Now that he wanted to assume the role of his father in the fraternity, he suddenly remember that he has a first child with our daughter.
“He had sent a letter, threatening Mrs. Olaosebikan to produce Olubukola and her child, precious, within a special period of time, or face the wrath of his group. The police authority was informed about the threat, but to the surprise of the family, nothing was done about it.”
“The family was, however, caught unaware on October 12, when people suspected to be members of Ogboni cult, led by Olubunmi, stormed the family house at Alakia in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with weapons. They attacked the occupants, including Mrs. Olaosebikan, and asked for Olubukola and Precious.
“He also threatened the occupants with death, if they fail to turn in the duo. They set the building on fire and left Mrs. Olaosebikan in a pool of blood. She was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital by neighbours.”
Meanwhile Olaosebikan has refused to disclose the location and whereabouts of Olubukola and Precious for security reason.
In his reaction when contacted, Olubunmi denied involvement in Olubikola’s family’s ordeal, saying though, he is a member of Ogboni confraternity; they are not responsible for the inferno that destroyed the family house.
“All I want is my daughter. I don’t want anybody to drag my name and that of Ogboni confraternity into negative things. All I can say at this stage is I will do everything possible to ensure that I get my wife and daughter,” Olubunmi said.
