ILORIN– Lookman Yussuf, a middle-aged man has cried out over series of threats and assaults allegedly perpetrated by one Alhaji Kamorudeen Lamina Alias Sir Kay Oluwo against his family over a disputed land matters
Yusuf also accused a relative, Lasisi Yussuf, for pressuring him to subject his daughter to female circumcision, which is a practice that his immediate family strongly oppose to.
Speaking with The News Ville from his hiding place, Yussuf said he decided to take cover when amid the threats and increasing tensions, the situation took a tragic turn yesterday, the 10th of August 2023 when his brothers, Yussuf Ismail and Abdulrasaq Yussuf, who were co-owners of the estate and had been actively involved in addressing this land dispute, were killed by unknown gunmen.
“I, Mr. Lookman Yussuf, am writing this statement on behalf of my family, the YUSSUFs (a.k.a. Arigbajo), to report a series of threats and assaults that have severely endangered the lives of my family, which includes my wife and my 9-year-old daughter.
“We fear for the safety and well-being of our 9-year-old daughter due to ongoing threats and acts of violence initiated by our extended relatives, with the primary instigator being Mr. Lasisi Yussuf, an elder within the Arigbajo family.
“My family has lived peacefully for generations in a small village in Offa Local government area in Kwara State, Nigeria, and we have always held strong to our cultural values and traditions.
“However, our extended relatives, led by Mr. Lasisi Yussuf, have been pressuring us to subject our daughter to female circumcision, which is a practice that our immediate family strongly opposes.
“The threats began on the 10th of August 2019, when my daughter turned five years old, with various family members trying to persuade us to change our minds using emotional and psychological pressure. As our refusal to comply with their demands became more apparent, the situation escalated, and they began to resort to threats and intimidation. They have warned us that my family will face dire consequences if we continue to resist their demands.
“Things took a horrifying turn recently when Mr. Lasisi Yussuf, a prominent and influential figure within our extended family, personally led a group of individuals who assaulted me and my wife on our property. He believed that by blackmailing us and forcing us to submit to his demands, he decided to seize our properties and assets.
“On the 27th of April 2022, we received information that individuals were encroaching on a piece of land that is a part of our estate. In an effort to resolve the dispute and confirm the situation, we accompanied a police officer to the site.
“However, upon our arrival at the disputed land, the individuals involved, whom I now identify as Alhaji Kamorudeen Lamina Alias Sir Kay Oluwo’s associates, aggressively confronted us.
“They demanded that we abandon any claims to the land. During this confrontation, one of these individuals stabbed both of my arms with a sharp object, causing me severe injuries.
“The threats and intimidation did not cease after the incident on April 27, 2022. My family and I continued to receive threats to our lives from these individuals. They have repeatedly warned us that harm will befall us if we do not cease our efforts to protect our rights to the land.
“Amid these threats and increasing tensions, the situation took a tragic turn yesterday, being the 10th of August 2023 when my brothers, Mr. Yussuf Ismail and Abdulrasaq Yussuf, who were co-owners of the estate and had been actively involved in addressing this land dispute, were killed by unknown gunmen. This tragic event has further heightened our fears for the safety of my wife and children.
“As a result of the escalating threats and violence, we felt compelled to leave our home in search of a safer place for my family. We have taken steps to document these incidents with local law enforcement, but we remain deeply concerned about our safety and the welfare of our daughter.
“We fear that without swift and decisive action, the threats and assaults will continue, and the physical and emotional harm to my family will persist. We implore you to intervene in this matter and help ensure my family’s safety and security, particularly our young daughter’s well-being.
“We believe in the principles of gender equality and children’s rights, and we refuse to subject our precious daughter to any form of harmful cultural practices, especially one as invasive and dangerous as female circumcision. No one should be forced into any cultural practice against their will, especially when it poses physical and emotional harm”, the statement reads
