Aggrieved residents from various communities in the Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State have staged a peaceful protest, challenging what they perceive as an escalating threat to their ancestral lands, with the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, at the forefront of this alleged attempt to seize and sell lands purportedly outside his traditional jurisdiction.
The aggrieved residents, consisting of farmers, landowners, and community leaders, stated that the alleged encroachment, often masked as land acquisition, has begun to disrupt agricultural activities, jeopardize livelihoods, and heighten security concerns in the affected areas.
They are now urging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take immediate action to safeguard Idanre territory against what they characterize as Akure’s expansionist agenda. Neighboring communities, including Owena and Olokuta, have also expressed similar grievances regarding ongoing boundary disputes.
Tensions escalated on Tuesday when residents of the Ijomu community in Akure South Local Government Area protested on the disputed land, denouncing what they call an alleged land-grabbing initiative by powerful individuals in the state.
At the protest site, Claudius Ademetoye, the Olu of Onipanu, asserted that the land in question does not belong to Akure’s jurisdiction.
“This land is not Akure land; it is completely outside the Deji’s jurisdiction. We are the rightful owners, and we have valid Certificates of Occupancy to prove our ownership. Yet attempts are being made to sell what does not belong to Akure,” he said.
He further emphasized that the ongoing interference threatens the peace and economic stability of the host communities.
Supporting this claim, Adeyemi Babatola Bajulaye, the Olu of Aponmu, stated that the contested lands were inherited from their ancestors and are integral to the historical foundation of their communities.
“These lands were bequeathed to us by our ancestors. They are our heritage, identity, and means of survival. No authority can legitimately take what our forefathers handed down to us,” Bajulaye affirmed.
Residents cautioned that if the government fails to respond quickly, it could trigger significant conflict, as the communities are resolute in defending what they consider their ancestral heritage and economic lifeline.
