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 which they alleged had resulted in harassment, maiming and sporadic shooting on their ancestral land.

The community, speaking through secretary of the Oluweri Osundekun/Yeye-Imule family descendants of Ijebu-Ode, Prince Olufemi Oluleye in Abeokuta, expressed concern that the dispute could degenerate into violence and lead to loss of lives if urgent steps were not taken.

Oluleye alleged that some individuals described by the community as land grabbers had continued attempts to take possession of the disputed property despite interventions by security agencies.

He further alleged that some officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) had been used in the dispute, leading to the arrest and detention of two Ikangba indigenes at the DSS office in Abeokuta.

According to him, the two men were subsequently released after the parties presented documentary evidence on the matter and the circumstances surrounding the dispute were reviewed.

He said the DSS director, after listening to the parties, warned those behind the dispute against actions capable of disrupting peace in the community.
Oluleye, however, alleged that the warning had not stopped the activities of those the community identified as land grabbers.

He also said the Ogun State Commissioner of Police had intervened by inviting the parties and examining their respective positions before warning the alleged land grabbers to stay away from the disputed property.

“These interventions by the heads of the two major security agencies demonstrate the seriousness of the matter and, more importantly, the need for all parties to respect lawful processes and avoid taking the law into their own hands,” he said.

The community alleged that despite the interventions, incidents of harassment and sporadic shooting had continued on the land, creating fear among residents.

It further alleged that the Idowa traditional institution, particularly the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape, had supported those behind the disputed claims.

The community said it was not seeking to prejudge any individual or usurp the functions of the courts and security agencies, but wanted the ownership and status of the land determined through due process.

“The people of Ikangba should not be made refugees on their own ancestral land. No individual, no matter how highly connected, should have the power to deploy security personnel or private agents to intimidate citizens, seize land or threaten lives”.

The community disclosed that it had petitioned the appropriate authorities, including the State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other security agencies, while also appealing to the governor for intervention.

It urged Abiodun to order a thorough and impartial investigation into the dispute, protect all parties pending the determination of the legitimate ownership of the land and prevent the alleged use of security personnel or other agents to intimidate members of the community.

It also called on the leadership of the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that their personnel were not used, directly or indirectly, to enforce private claims in land disputes.

The commuity stressed that its objective was not confrontation with security agencies or traditional institutions but the preservation of peace and the protection of its members.

“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 “.

The community urged all parties to suspend further actions on the disputed land and allow competent authorities to resolve the matter through lawful means.

They also called on the governor, Commissioner of Police, DSS leadership and the State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force to act swiftly to prevent further violence.

“We seek justice. We seek peace. We seek protection. And above all, we seek the intervention of the governor before it is too late,” Oluleye said.