Residents of Makogi, located in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have raised serious allegations against their traditional ruler, Babatunde Akanni Sonola, also known as Tallman. They claim he is behind a wave of violent attacks by suspected cultists, allegedly used to intimidate and silence opposition over a disputed land matter.
According to community members, the conflict revolves around parcels of land allegedly belonging to the Osho Kanakana family. They accuse the monarch of unlawfully selling portions of this land despite their legal ownership and repeated warnings.
Taiwo Adewusi, a representative of the Osho Kanakana family, stated that the family has court rulings and historical evidence supporting their ownership. However, he alleged that the monarch has ignored all legal notices and instead resorted to threats and violence.
“When we challenge him, he sends cult groups after us,” Adewusi told SaharaReporters. “Some of our family members have suffered physical attacks and were even hospitalised.”
Several residents recounted traumatic experiences, including destruction of property and physical assault, allegedly carried out by individuals acting on the monarch’s behalf.
One of the victims, Sunday Ojeyemi, a local tailor, described how his shop was attacked by armed individuals believed to be cultists. He said the attackers destroyed his workspace and made away with four industrial sewing machines.
“They came with weapons—guns, cutlasses, and bottles. I wasn’t at the shop, but my apprentices had to flee,” Ojeyemi said. “They destroyed everything and stole machines worth hundreds of thousands of naira. Since then, I haven’t felt safe at home.”
He also mentioned the names of several alleged cult members—Gbekẹ, Stubborn, Dimeji Aperanjeun, Agbara, Scorpion, Koyo, and SOJ—claiming they are loyal to the monarch.
Another resident, Omotayo Kanakana, an elderly woman, said her home was attacked by suspected cult members, who she believes were sent by Tallman.
“They broke the windows, shot into the air, and chased me,” she recalled. “I fell and was beaten. My children have all left the house out of fear. I’m pleading with the state government for help.”
Mulikatu Opasola, another elderly woman in the community, shared that her son’s shop was looted and her home attacked later that night.
“They arrived around 2 a.m., firing shots and threatening to kill us. I had to escape into the bush. Now, my son has no tools, and we’re struggling to survive,” she said.
The residents are calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and stop what they describe as ongoing abuse of power and violence.
“We are living in fear,” Ojeyemi said. “If action isn’t taken soon, more people could be harmed or even killed.”
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Sonola has reportedly failed to respond to a police invitation for questioning. A letter dated March 17, 2025, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Adamu Bello Muhammed of Zone 2 Headquarters in Lagos, requested the monarch to appear for a fact-finding inquiry on March 20.
The letter stated:
“This office is investigating a report submitted to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police. You are requested to appear before the officer in charge of Zonal Servicom for a fact-finding session scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on March 20, 2025.”
However, sources confirmed that Sonola did not attend the meeting. Attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered. Similar efforts to contact the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, were also unreturned.
The people of Makogi continue to demand justice, protection, and an end to the violence allegedly tied to the traditional authority.
