Outrage has erupted in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as no fewer than 15 ancestral communities have cried out over alleged forceful land acquisition and planned demolition of their villages.
The affected communities, some said to be over 300 years old, including Ogunro and Itori Onimogan, are located behind the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
Some of the communities also share boundary with the Abeokuta Golf Club in the Ogun State’s capital.
Speaking with newsmen, residents said they were shocked by demolition notices allegedly issued by the government despite the matter already being before a court of law.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday at Itori Onimogan, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of the community, described the development as sudden and distressing.Salako, aged 72, said their ancestors had settled in the community more than three centuries ago.
He appealed to the government to allow the villagers live peacefully on land they describe as their ancestral home.“We continue to face persistent harassment by the government, as we were served and given three days to evacuate from our houses.
“Where should we go? This is our option after being chased from the town by the demolition of our houses for a road. Let us stay in our ancestral land.“We are appealing to the government to please leave us and our community alone and let us stay on our land,” he said.
Also speaking, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, Baale of Ogunro, said his community and others have come under increasing pressure to vacate lands inhabited by their forefathers for more than a century. According to him, all houses in the affected villages have been marked, and residents are being compelled to leave.
“We are pleading for help and support from good citizens and stakeholders in Ogun State to come to our aid and prevent the government from forcefully taking our land,” he said.
Bodunde disclosed that the communities had engaged the government through meetings and legal channels, but alleged that the authorities were acting in disregard of due process.“We’ve had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court. We’ve been served, and the government has been notified, but they’re not showing up in court, and now they’re posting demolition notices on our buildings.”
He further alleged that government lawyers were disowning the demolition notices in court, even as enforcement continued on the ground.The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government.“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue,” he said.
