By Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan

Residents and natives of Olope Metta village, Akinyele Local Government area of Oyo State have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde not to wipe away their village or demolish their ancestral houses.

Olope Metta, located along the old Oyo-Ibadan Road, is home to indigenous residents who have lived in the area for generations.

They made the appeal in a save our soul letter signed by the spokesman of the family, Kamardin Ayotunde and Secretary, Mr. Moshood Tiamiyu.

The letter, which was addressed to Makinde was made available to journalists on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital.

They appealed to the governor to prevail on the ministry of Works in the state to rescind the decision.

It was mlearnt that Oyo State government through the Ministry of Works had on Monday, April 14, 2025, served a seven-day demolition notice on the village and its residents.

It was learnt that over scores of ancestral homes, buildings, business premises and religious centers at Olope Metta village have been marked for demolition for allegedly fall within the right of way of a federal highway.

The duo of Ayotunde and Tiamiyu in the statement maintained that the new markings far exceed previous boundaries, encroaching deep into their village—far more than what was marked during the earlier road construction projects.

They described the move as shocking and deeply distressing.