Residents protest alleged land grabbing in Ogun communities

Residents of five communities in Ago-Iwoye, mostly elderly farmers, at the weekend staged a protest over the alleged seizure of more than 500 acres of farmland by the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasaq Adesina Adenuga.

The protesters, drawn from Isamuro, Imosun, Igan, Awori and Idode communities, marched along the palace road under the watch of security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing the monarch of acquiring their ancestral land under the guise of government consent.

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, KayodeAkinmade, said he was in a meeting and would respond later.

Reacting, Oba Adenuga dismissed the allegations, describing them as the handiwork of mischief-makers bent on creating discord in the town.

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Armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Stop threatening us with juju, DSS and thugs”, “We are tired of Ebumawe land grabbing activities” and “Stop land grabs of our land, our lives!”, the protesters unanimously called for the removal of the traditional ruler.

They alleged that the monarch had taken over farmlands used for cultivating cocoa, rubber, palm trees and kola nuts — crops they depend on for survival in old age — adding that some residents had taken loans to farm the land and suffered health setbacks after learning portions had been sold.

Speaking during the protest, the Baale of Isamuro, TirimisiyuOgunkoya, said Oba Adenuga frequently encroached on farmlands across the communities, destroyed crops and sold the land to buyers, claiming it had been acquired by the government for corporate projects.

Ogunkoya alleged that more than 500 acres had been taken without the consent of landowners, adding that several petitions submitted to the state government, the police and the DSS had yielded no result.

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“We are here protesting because the Ebumawe has encroached on over 500 acres of land belonging to five towns in Ago-Iwoye and sold parts of it off. He is planning to sell more, while telling people stories about airports and factories,” he said.

Another resident, Mr Emmanuel Olukayode, alleged that the monarch encroached on his late father’s 10-hectare farmland, which he said was cultivated with borrowed funds to grow cocoa, kola and other crops, with repayments made from pension income.

Also speaking, Prof AdeniyiAdefela of the Tai Solarin University of Education appealed to Governor DapoAbiodun to intervene, warning that if the matter was not addressed, residents would be advised to seek redress in court.

The Acting Village Head of Lagan, Dr Segun Onasote, said the people of Ago-Iwoye were exhausted by what he described as persistent land grabbing in the area.