By Monsuru Olowoopejo

LAGOS — Scores of residents of Unity Estate, Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, LCDA, yesterday protested to the Lagos State House of Assembly over incessant violence against the community by some land grabbers popularly called Omo-Onile.

The residents alleged that the land grabbers, who were frequently led by a man popularly called Baba Oloda, aside tormenting the community, rape teenagers.

The protesters, who were armed with placards which read: “We say no to prejudice,’ ‘Baba Oloda, don’t steal our right,’ ‘Panti Police should release our husbands,’ ‘We need peace in Unity Estate, Baiyeku,’ ‘Gov. Fashola, rescue Unity Estate from Omo-onile, Baba Oloda and his thugs” and others.

Mr. Dayo Adetunji, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, lamented the alleged dehumanisation meted to the residents, noting: “We have been living peacefully for over 10 years but we were shocked when some groups had to lay claim to the ownership of the land, demanding that we have to buy the land all over.

“We bought the land from Baiyeku indigenes, suddenly Igbogbo indigenes came and we had to pay them as well. Later, another group also came from Al-Marouf and we paid ratification.

“Now, not up to two years, another group from the same family in Igbogbo had brought thugs laying claim to the ownership of our land.