A gang of armed men stormed the home of former Ijebu-Ode Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Emilola Gazal, in the early hours of Thursday, carting away cash, valuables, and his vehicle.
Gazal, who also serves as the publisher of The Roots Magazine, confirmed the incident, describing it as a terrifying ordeal that left him and his family shaken.
According to him, the robbers struck around 2 a.m. at his residence in Ijebu-Ode Government Reserved Area (GRA). They forced their way in and subjected him to both physical and financial intimidation.
“They came with guns, three of them,” Gazal explained.
“They took every naira in the house and compelled me to transfer the remaining balance in my accounts to an account they provided. They deliberately left just N5,000 and told me I should manage with that.”
The attackers also took away his wife’s jewellery before leaving with his ash-coloured car.
“They told me to hand over the keys, and they drove away in it,” he added. Gazal noted that he was preparing to lodge a formal complaint at police stations in Igbeba and Obalende, both in Ijebu-Ode.
The raid comes amid a rise in violent robberies and home invasions in Ogun State, particularly within Ijebu communities.
In recent months, residents have expressed concern over what they describe as “unchecked criminal activities” targeting homes, travellers, and business owners.
Earlier this year, officers of the Ogun State Police Command killed an armed robber during a shootout along the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Expressway.
Similarly, on September 12, police arrested a suspect in Ayetoro for burglary and robbery involving goods valued at over N1.5 million.
The Amotekun Corps, the South-West regional security network, has also clashed with criminal gangs across Ogun’s border areas, neutralising suspects in past operations.
Security analysts have now called for stronger community policing and better surveillance across Ogun State.
“These incidents show that criminals are becoming more daring,” one analyst said.
“The government and security agencies must intensify efforts before residents lose faith completely in protection.”
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but police sources told reporters that an investigation is expected to begin immediately.