Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun
The residents of Ikangba Community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene in an alleged land dispute which they said is threatening the peace and safety of residents.
The community made the appeal in Abeokuta yesterday, alleging that some land grabbers were attempting to take possession of their ancestral land through intimidation and the alleged involvement of security personnel.
The statement was read by Prince Oluleye Olufemi Oluleye, Secretary of the Ikangba community, who urged the governor to intervene before the situation escalates into further violence and possible loss of lives.
According to the community, two of its indigenes were previously arrested and detained at the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Abeokuta over the dispute but were later released after documentary evidence was presented to support the community’s claim to the land.
The community alleged that the DSS leadership, after listening to both parties and examining the circumstances surrounding the dispute, warned those involved against actions capable of disturbing the peace of the community.
It, however, claimed that the alleged land grabbers continued their activities after leaving the DSS office despite the warning.
The community further stated that the Ogun State Commissioner of Police had also intervened by inviting the parties and listening to their respective positions.
It alleged that following the intervention, the Commissioner similarly warned those it described as land grabbers to stay away from the disputed property.
Despite the interventions, the community claimed that harassment had continued, alleging incidents of maiming and sporadic shootings on the land, which it said had created fear among residents.
The Ikangba people also alleged that the involvement of the Idowa traditional institution, particularly the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adefuwape, had contributed to the persistence of the crisis.
The community stressed that it was not seeking to prejudge any individual or take the place of the courts or security agencies but wanted the dispute resolved through lawful processes.
It therefore called on Governor Abiodun to order a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, ensure the protection of all parties while ownership of the land is determined, and prevent anyone from using security personnel or private agents to intimidate members of the community.
The community also appealed to the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that their personnel were not used as instruments in private land disputes.
“We seek justice. We seek peace. We seek protection. Above all, we seek the intervention of the Governor before it is too late,” the community said.
The Ikangba people urged all parties to sheathe their swords and allow the competent authorities to determine the ownership and status of the disputed land through due process.
They also called on the Ogun State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, the police, DSS, and other relevant authorities to act swiftly to prevent further violence and protect lives and property.
The community said it had approached the relevant authorities over the matter and was using the media to draw attention to the situation, expressing hope that urgent intervention would prevent the crisis from claiming innocent lives.
