Farmers from Oluwa Forest (OA3A) in Odigbo Local Council of Ondo State yesterday blocked the Lagos-Ore motorway, protesting their alleged forceful eviction from farmlands.

The protesters accused SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited, allegedly linked to Ayo Sotinrin, Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, and the Ondo State government of destroying their plantations.

The farmers carried placards with inscriptions such as “Ayo Sotinrin Is Using Govt Power On Poor Farmers” and “Tinubu Save Farmers From Sotinrin.” Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Musafiu Irewolede claimed that SAO Agro-Allied Services had illegally taken over over 10,000 hectares of farmland in defiance of a court order restraining evictions. He alleged that the company, aided by the government, destroyed plantations and displaced farmers.

Felix Adeniyi, another farmer, lamented that over 15,000 farmers, who rely on the farmland for livelihood, face displacement.

When contacted, Sotinrin denied the allegations, stating that SAO Agro-Allied Services legally acquired the land, paid necessary fees, and obtained a Certificate of Occupancy.