The Oyo State government yesterday said it obtained the necessary court orders before demolishing the building used as the operational base of the Yoruba Nation Agitators.
The storey-building on Toye Oyeshola Street, Shahari area, Boluwaji, Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan, was demolished on April 16.
Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Williams Akin-Funmilayo said with the order, the government has taken over the building
“The order granted the government to demolish structures in three different areas of the state – Alomaja, Oluyole Local Government Area; Shagari Boluwaji Sanyo Area, and Fatusi, along Ayegun Olomi Area, Ibadan.
The structures were said to be used by ‘Yufeng Recycling Resources Nig. Ltd/Desert Minerals Limited to warehouse dangerous substances for the processing of Lithium; and by Yoruba Nation Agitators to warehouse dangerous weapons and facilitate criminal activities such as treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms, conducts likely to cause breach of the peace, unlawful society/assembly and allied offences, and any other and any other ascertained location being used for criminal activities within Oyo State in the overall interest of the public safety of the citizens of Oyo State.”
When news men visited the two buildings demolished at Toye Oyesola Street, Shagari some photographs were found littering the floor with some female and children clothing.
Residents expressed shock at the discoveries, saying there had never been any trace or suspicion of involvement or usage of the building for such nefarious acts.
The owner of the building, it was gathered, only visits once in a while as she is said to outside the country.