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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Ogun community decries suspected land grabbers’ invasion, farmland destruction

From The Punch · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Residents of Ajogbo Akia community in Ogun State allege violent invasion and destruction of their ancestral farmlands by suspected land grabbers.
  • The community claims hoodlums destroyed crops and plantations, threatening residents and causing fear, preventing farmers from accessing their livelihoods.
  • Community leaders have appealed to the state government and police for intervention, citing historical land ownership and the devastating impact of the invasion.

Residents of the Ajogbo Akia community in Ogun State are living in fear following what they describe as a violent invasion and destruction of their ancestral farmlands. Hoodlums, suspected to be land grabbers, have allegedly destroyed crops and plantations, leaving farmers unable to access their livelihoods.

For about five generations, our forebears acquired the lands, which they have held onto since then; we suddenly saw land grabbers bringing confusion and claiming ownership of the land.

— Joel AsadeA resident describing the historical ownership of the land and the alleged actions of land grabbers.

Community members reported waking up to find their lands being stormed and destroyed without justification. Joel Asade, a resident, stated that the community has held onto these lands for five generations. He expressed alarm at the sudden appearance of individuals claiming ownership and causing destruction, which has disrupted their way of life.

They are destroying the crops we cultivate on our land and ruining everything. We have already taken this matter to the law enforcement agents so that they can rescue us.

— Joel AsadeDetailing the destruction of farmlands and the community's action to involve law enforcement.

Solomon Bankole, a community leader, described the invasion as unprecedented, noting that the town had previously enjoyed relative peace. He emphasized that the community has nowhere else to go if displaced and appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and President Bola Tinubu for assistance.

This place belongs to us! This is the town we know, and we don’t have anywhere to go. Governor Dapo Abiodun, President Bola Tinubu, and the police should come to our aid.

— Solomon BankoleA community leader appealing to government and police for help.

The Baale and traditional ruler of Ajogbo Akia, Dr. Oluwasegun Adebiyi, characterized the situation as an assault on a community with centuries of peaceful existence on the land. He highlighted the immense emotional pain, psychological trauma, and financial losses incurred. Adebiyi also alleged that community members have received direct threats of elimination, forcing them to abandon their farms and daily activities. The traditional leader has appealed to state authorities for urgent intervention.

We have existed in peace and harmony for centuries in this area. We have always held and maintained peaceful possession of our ancestral land.

— Dr. Oluwasegun AdebiyiThe Baale of Ajogbo Akia, describing the community's long history of peaceful occupation of the land.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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