By Bose Adelaja

The Ayangburen of Ikorodu Oba Kabiru Sotobi has promised to wade into the crisis rocking Ipetoro/Lowa community in Sagamu local government of Ogun State which was recently invaded by some suspected land grabbers. Oba Sotobi, a descendant of the community, gave the assurance when some residents of the community visited his palace to peacefully protest the menace of land grabbers on their land. This was in line with a week-long protest embarked upon by the residents to press home their demand.

Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi

The monarch who addressed the protesters in Yoruba Language blamed the development on some disgruntled elements in the community who, he said, conspired with land grabbers to encroach on the land.

He assured that steps are ongoing to curb their activities of land grabbers, including the invitation some of those encroaching the land for amicable resolution. He also warned the protesters to strive for peaceful co-existence in the community. ‘’Land grabbers will not interfere in land matters except they are   invited to do so. Please, check yourselves very well and warn your sons to desist from conspiring against the land,” he said.

Oba Sotobi also stated thus: ‘’I am hearing you officially for the first time, I want you to know that I am not a bastard and will act accordingly. So, please go home and be rest assured that the matter will be resolved amicably”.

Some of the protesters who narrated their ordeal to Vanguard Metro, VM, said many of their wards could no longer continue in school due to the activities of the said land grabbers.

Among the protesters were 45-year-old Saidat Kolawole, 43-year-old Oluwakemi Adaran and Abosede Olukorede who told VM the crises have sent them out of business. ‘’We have been sent parking from the community for the past nine months and our businesses have been put on-hold,’’ they chorused.

Also, 90-year-old Madam Efundeyinde Sobajo said if not checked the activities of the land grabbers “will send many of us to our early grave. Can you imagine a situation where an elderly woman like me is squatting and unable to make ends meet. The situation is terrible ‘’.

Madam Sobajo appealed to the monarch to deliver his promises and save them from impending doom. ‘’Please use your good office to rescue our land. Your father was the first Baale of Ipetoro/Lowa. How come we are being tormented by land grabbers and peace is eluding us and you delay to proffer solution? Will you fold your arms and watch us suffer for no cause”?

The Baale of the community, 65-year-old Mojeed Olaonipekun lamented that the activities of land grabbers forced him into exile for the past nine months. ‘’Our community is no longer safe. I was observing my siesta on December 3, 2014 when our community was invaded by land grabbers and I was arrested in the process. They came in company of some Policemen who arrested me and I was taken around Lagos for some time before they whisked me to Abuja where I was detained. I was later released on bail and this was the beginning of my ordeal. My wives and children are scattered and I can no longer visit my community to govern my people as some people have taken over our land, ‘’ he lamented.

Some of the residents described the situation as pathetic and appealed to relevant government agencies to intervene for normalcy to return to the community.