....Residents allege shootings, harassment, seek probe into disputed ancestral land
The people of Ikangba Community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene in an escalating land dispute, alleging harassment, sporadic shootings and attempts to dispossess residents of their ancestral land.
The community made the appeal at a press conference held on Monday at Nuj Secretariat, Iwe- Irohin, Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.
Addressing journalists, Secretary of the community, Prince Olufemi Olunleye expressed fears that the crisis could degenerate into violence and lead to loss of lives if urgent steps were not taken by the state government.
The Ikangba indigenes alleged that some individuals they described as land grabbers had continued to lay claim to the disputed property despite interventions by security agencies.
They also alleged that some officers of the Department of State Services had been used by the individuals in their attempt to take possession of the land.
According to the community, two of its indigenes were previously arrested and detained at the DSS office in Abeokuta over the matter but were later released after documentary evidence supporting the community's claim was presented.
The community said the DSS director, after listening to both sides and examining the matter, warned those involved against actions capable of disrupting peace in Ikangba.
It, however, alleged that the activities on the disputed land continued despite the warning.
The community further said the Ogun State Commissioner of Police had also invited the parties and warned the alleged land grabbers to stay away from the disputed property after hearing their respective positions.
The representatives said the continued crisis was particularly worrying because of alleged reports of maiming and sporadic shooting on the land.
They also alleged that the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape, and the Idowa traditional institution were backing the individuals involved in the dispute.
The community stressed that it was not seeking to prejudge the matter or usurp the powers of the courts and security agencies, but wanted the ownership dispute resolved through lawful means.
“We are not here to prejudge anyone or to take the place of the courts or security agencies. Our demand is simple: let the law prevail,” Olunleye said.
The indigenes appealed to Abiodun to order a thorough and impartial investigation into the dispute and ensure that all parties were protected while the ownership of the land was determined through due process.
They also urged the governor to prevent individuals from allegedly using security personnel or private agents to intimidate members of the community.
The community called on the leadership of the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that their personnel were not used as instruments in private land disputes.
“Security agencies should protect citizens and the rule of law, not become tools in the hands of individuals seeking to enforce private claims."
It disclosed that it had approached the Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant authorities over the dispute, while an appeal had also been made to the governor.
The indigenes urged all parties to sheathe their swords and allow the competent authorities to determine the status and ownership of the land.
They warned that nobody should be allowed to enter the disputed property with firearms, threaten residents, maim anyone or engage in sporadic shooting while the matter was being resolved.
“We do not want anybody killed. We do not want violence. We do not want confrontation with the security agencies or traditional institutions. We simply want the people of Ikangba to live peacefully and enjoy their legitimate property without intimidation, harassment or fear,” they said.
The community also appealed to the media to amplify its concerns, saying it feared that failure to act urgently could result in the loss of an innocent life.
“We seek justice. We seek peace. We seek protection. And above all, we seek the intervention of the Governor before it is too late,” Olunleye said.
Also speaking, the Iya Lorisa Osoteku Olorisa of Ijebuland, Chief Mrs Morili Atinuke Alawiye, said the land in dispute was ancestral property belonging to the people of Ikangba and had been passed down through generations.
Alawiye appealed to the relevant authorities to intervene urgently, stressing that the community members were only seeking to protect their ancestral heritage and legitimate rights to the land. She urged the government and security agencies to ensure that peace was maintained and that no individual or group was allowed to unlawfully take possession of the disputed property.
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