Fire Incident: Ojagboro Youths Push Back Against Arson Claims, Demand Wider Police Probe
Days after a fire outbreak triggered allegations of arson in the Ojagboro community, the Ojagboro Youths Development Association (OYDA) has rejected claims linking the incident to the community, warning that unverified narratives could inflame tensions and undermine years of peaceful coexistence.
In a preliminary statement issued on Saturday, January 3, 2026, the youth body said it was compelled to speak out following the spread of what it described as misleading reports in some quarters, which it said risk portraying Ojagboro as intolerant and lawless.
OYDA stressed that Ojagboro has for decades remained a largely peaceful community where residents of different religious and cultural backgrounds coexist without major conflict. The association noted that churches, mosques, and traditional worship centres operate freely in the area, adding that one of Ilorin’s oldest churches, UMCA, is located within the community.
While expressing sympathy with the complainant, identified as Iya Abiye, over the loss of her property, the association said it welcomed the intervention of the Nigeria Police Force and the commencement of investigations into the incident.
The group urged the police to conduct a thorough, professional, and fact-based investigation, cautioning that conclusions driven by public pressure or emotions could deepen divisions within the community.
OYDA disclosed that preliminary internal inquiries highlighted certain surrounding issues that, it said, require objective scrutiny, including earlier complaints over noise disturbances, the reported use of fireworks despite an existing community ban, and other circumstances surrounding the fire outbreak.
The association further stated that there was no public electricity supply in the area on the day of the incident, a factor it said should be considered in determining the cause of the fire.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on cultism, drug abuse, hooliganism, and other criminal activities, OYDA said it has continued to work with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, to maintain peace and order.
Calling for a widening of the investigation, the association stressed that no individual or group should be shielded or unfairly targeted on the basis of religion, social status, or influence.
In the meantime, OYDA appealed to residents of Ojagboro and the wider public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of escalating the situation. The association urged all parties to allow the police to carry out their duties without interference, while reaffirming its commitment to dialogue, restraint, and peaceful coexistence.
OYDA added that it would continue to engage community leaders, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the incident does not degenerate into conflict, insisting that Ojagboro remains united, peaceful, and law-abiding despite the ongoing investigation.
The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the association, Umar Sulyman Danmaigoro, and its Public Relations Officer, Nu’akofu Uthman Oladimeji.
