By Ifeoluwa Taiwo
The people of Ikangba Community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene in an alleged land dispute which they said was threatening the peace and security of residents.
The community made the appeal on Monday at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Abeokuta, where it also accused the Idowa traditional institution, particularly the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape, of allegedly supporting individuals it described as land grabbers.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Prince Oluleye Olufemi expressed concern over alleged harassment, sporadic shooting and other acts of violence on the disputed property.
Olufemi alleged that some officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) had been used by persons involved in the dispute to invade the land and intimidate members of the community.
According to him, two indigenes of Ikangba were at one point arrested and detained at the DSS office in Abeokuta but were subsequently released after documentary evidence supporting the community’s position was presented.
He said the DSS director, after hearing from both parties and examining the circumstances surrounding the dispute, warned those involved against actions capable of disrupting peace in the community.
The community, however, alleged that the individuals it accused of land grabbing continued their activities after leaving the DSS office.
It further stated that the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State had also intervened by inviting the parties involved and listening to their respective positions before allegedly warning those accused of land grabbing to stay away from the disputed property.
The community said the interventions by security agencies demonstrated the seriousness of the dispute and the need for all parties to respect lawful processes.
It alleged that despite the interventions, harassment had continued, with reports of maiming and sporadic shooting on the disputed land.
The community alleged that the Idowa traditional institution had contributed to the persistence of the crisis.
It said: “We have further established, from the information available to us, that the alleged land grabbers enjoy the backing of the Idowa traditional institution, especially the King, the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape, who obviously has contributed to the persistence of the crisis.”
The residents, however, stressed that they were not seeking to prejudge any party or take the place of the courts and security agencies in determining ownership of the disputed property.
They urged Governor Abiodun to order an impartial investigation into the matter and ensure adequate protection for all parties while ownership of the land is determined through due process.
The community also called on the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that their personnel were not used to enforce private claims in land disputes.
It appealed to the Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently before the dispute escalates and results in loss of life.
According to the residents, they had already approached relevant authorities, including the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and security agencies, while an appeal had also been made to the governor.
The community said its demand was for peace, justice and protection, stressing that it had no desire for violence or confrontation with security agencies or traditional institutions.
It urged all parties to “sheath their swords” and allow competent authorities to determine the ownership and status of the disputed property through lawful means.
The residents also appealed to the authorities to prevent anyone from entering the disputed property with firearms, threatening residents or engaging in activities capable of further escalating the crisis.
“The people of Ikangba are crying for help. We appeal to the media to amplify this cry so that the appropriate authorities can hear us before this matter claims an innocent life,” the community said.
The residents expressed confidence that the Ogun State Government would uphold the rule of law and protect citizens from unlawful dispossession of ancestral property.
They consequently called on Governor Abiodun, the Commissioner of Police, the DSS director, the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant authorities to act swiftly to prevent further escalation and ensure that the matter is resolved peacefully and in accordance with the law.
