Farmers from five communities in the Ondo East Local Council Area of Ondo State, in large numbers, stormed the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday to protest the alleged illegal detention of two traditional rulers, as well as the forceful takeover of their ancestral lands.

The infuriated farmers from Italemikan, Abusoro, Ateru, Igbomowo, and Uloko Agbonden communities stated that some persons had been terrorising their communities, using armed men to intimidate residents and arrest those who challenged the alleged land encroachment.

Armed with placards with various inscriptions such as “Free Our Obas Now”, “We Say No to Land Grabbing”, and “We Want Justice for Our Communities”, the protesters stated that the traditional rulers were falsely accused.

Speaking with journalists, Isaac Akinwande, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, stated that the two detained monarchs, the Olu of Igba Community, Oba Shina Olayeleb, and the Olu of Uloko Agbonden, HRH Moses Awonusi Apalara, were framed and remanded in prison due to the influence of the alleged land grabber.

He said, “We are here because of a notorious land grabber. He came to our land claiming his father owns everything from Ita-Ila to Oboto. We have never seen him before.

“Anytime we question him, he threatens to arrest us. They took us to court the next day and sent us to prison. He’s using force to intimidate us.”

Akinwande further alleged that the two monarchs were unlawfully arrested and remanded after refusing to cede community lands.

“Our two Obas are now in prison because they defended our land. We are appealing to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene and free them.”

Another protester, who gave his name as Ajibola, stated that the communities had earlier submitted petitions to the governor, the Chief Judge, and the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, but had received no response.

“We don’t want violence or crisis in our land. That is why we came peacefully to seek government intervention. We want justice and for our traditional rulers to be released,” he said.

The protesters urged the state government to probe the alleged land grabbing and harassment by the suspect and his backers.

When contacted, an official of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who craved anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, disclosed that the issue is currently being looked into, adding that it will soon be resolved.