Ibadan community seeks Olubadan, Oyo govt’s intervention over activities of land grabbers

Residents of Isokan Estate, Odo Ona Elewe, Challenge, Ibadan, have called on the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and the Oyo State Government to intervene over what they described as continuous threats, intimidation, extortion and forceful land takeovers by suspected land grabbers.

The community members made the appeal on Friday during a peaceful protest at Tribune House in Ibadan, lamenting that their safety and lands were under constant threat.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, the Chairman of the community, Tayo Ashiru, said suspected land grabbers had repeatedly invaded the area, destroying houses and makeshift structures belonging to lawful landowners.

According to him, the community had called for a peaceful settlement between the landowners and the alleged land grabbers, during which it was resolved that each landowner should pay ₦500,000. He said many had paid, but the alleged land grabbers later insisted on ₦5 million before peace could be restored to the community.

The community leader added that, in a bid to resolve the problem, the matter was taken to the palace of the Olubadan, where complaints were made about the threats and extortion. He said the monarch gave a standing order directing the alleged land grabbers to vacate the community, but they refused to comply.

He further stated that several complaints had also been made to security agencies and local authorities, but they had yielded no lasting solution, leaving families fearful of displacement.

The residents urged the Olubadan-in-Council to use its traditional authority to once again call the alleged land grabbers to order.

They also appealed to the Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, to investigate and prosecute those involved.

The community said it had documented evidence, photographs and petitions, which it was ready to submit to the Olubadan’s Palace and the state government.

“We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed. We live in fear as their thugs harass, threaten and extort us every day. As I am talking to you, they are in the community smoking and drinking alcohol. This is affecting us psychologically,” he said.

“We are law-abiding citizens. We have genuine documents, family receipts and survey plans for our lands. But these land grabbers come with thugs, threaten us and claim the land was sold by another member of their family. The matter has been in court since 2023, and they stopped coming. But about three months ago, the land grabbers showed up again in full force, destroying structures on our lands. Our roofs were damaged with cutlasses, while buildings were demolished with diggers and hoes.

“We can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed. We are begging Kabiyesi, the Olubadan, and Governor Seyi Makinde to come to our rescue before blood is shed.

“We are not against development. But development must follow due process and respect the rights of original landowners.

“We are calling for peace. We want the government to protect us. We do not want Ibadan to be known for land-related violence,” the chairman added.