…seeks for Governor Abiodun’s intervention

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

Indigenes and residents of Eredo, in Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State have appealed to the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and security agencies to save them from suspected land grabbers, that have been terrorizing the community.

The appeal followed a violent crisis that was averted on Tuesday evening, when two rival groups of alleged land-grabbers clashed in a free-for-all fight in the community.

Speaking with Vanguard, the community head, Chief Rasak Amujara said Governor Abiodun and security agencies should act fast and intervene to save them from the activities of the alleged land-grabbers.

According to Chief Amujara, these individuals have been terrorizing the community, using thugs and fake documents to lay claim to lands belonging to innocent people.

The alleged land-grabbers are accused of conniving with some officials of government to lay claims to people’s lands and sell off the lands to private individuals, including Chinese nationals, while displacing farmers and landowners.

The community leader alleged that the suspects use the name of the Ogun State government to deceive landowners, claiming that their lands have been taken over for overriding public interest.

He expressed concern that the activities of these alleged land-grabbers do not only paint the community in bad light but also put inhabitants in panic mode whenever they begin their acts.

Chief Amujara urged Governor Abiodun to take immediate action to stop the alleged land-grabbers and protect the rights of the community’s inhabitants.

A female victim, who prefers anonymity for fear of attack, said she bought acres of land and was displaced, but now she has reported the case to the Police.

She expressed deep concern, that if no drastic action is taken, the activities of these land grabbers might lead to communal clashes, saying “we don’t want crisis like the one in Benue here”.

“The community is calling for urgent intervention to prevent further escalation of the situation”, Alhaji Mukaila Amao, a resident of Eredo said.

In response to the clash, the Chairman of Obafemi/Owode Local Government, Adesina Ogunsola has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.

He constituted a committee of enquiry to determine the root cause of the crisis.
He has equally summoned the Baale of the community, Chief Rasak Amujara, representatives of the two factions involved and other community leaders to a meeting at the council secretariat in Owode-Egba to seek a lasting solution.

Ogunsola has directed the Nigerian Police Force, Owode-Egba Area Command, and other security agencies within the council to arrest and prosecute any individual or group attempting to disrupt the peace in the community.

This move aligns with the strict warning issued by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, who has declared zero tolerance for land-related violence, emphasizing that the state government retains ultimate authority over all land matters.

Efforts to get reaction from spokesperson of Ogun State command of police prove abortive as call put across to her phone was not going.