Protests Erupt in Ibadan Over Land Grabbing Crisis
Victims Call for Urgent Action from Governor Makinde and IGP
In Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, tension has escalated as land grabbers wreak havoc in several communities, forcibly displacing residents and using law enforcement to intimidate landowners. Over 40 affected families gathered for a press conference to voice their grievances, highlighting the ongoing violence despite the existence of the Real Properties Protection Law of 2016, which mandates severe penalties for unlawful land appropriation.
The Alajia of Ajia, Oba Nureni Adegbenro, assured the victims that traditional leaders are not complicit in these actions. He emphasized the historical ownership of the land and condemned the intruders as outsiders who inflict suffering on the community.
Victims recounted harrowing experiences, including the death of a village head at the hands of land grabbers. Asimiyu Onaolapo from Gbeleyi village reported that 850 acres have been seized from 21 families, claiming the intruders have used violence and intimidation, even employing police assistance.
Bashiru Olajide from Ogunbunmi village and others echoed calls for intervention from Governor Seyi Makinde and the Inspector-General of Police, describing harrowing scenes of armed men arriving in government vehicles. Despite reporting the issue to local authorities, the violence persists, leaving the community in despair.
Desperate for help, the affected families appealed to Governor Makinde, hoping for his intervention to restore peace and protect their ancestral lands.