Ikangba, other communities send SoS to Ogun Govt over land grabbers’ activities

Indigenes of Ikangba, Agoro, Imodi and Imosan, in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State, have called for the intervention of the Ogun State government over the activities of land grabbers in their communities.

They made the call on Friday during a press conference held at the residence of the Baale of Ikangba.

The residents stressed the need for relevant authorities to scrutinise the different court judgments being presented by some parties involved in the land dispute with a view to authenticating their validity, or otherwise.

The locals also urged relevant security agencies in the state to carry out detailed investigation of reported threats to the lives of the Baales by suspected land grabbers.

Among other demands was an appeal to the police, the Department of State Service, DSS, Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and other relevant agencies to investigate and ensure justice in the matter.

Parts of an address presented by Olaoluwa Okutubo, on behalf of the community, read, “We also appeal to the authorities to ensure that no security personnel is used to enforce a private land claim. No person should enter disputed land with firearms or dangerous weapons. No bulldozer should be used to destroy another person’s farm while the ownership of the land remains under dispute.

“No resident should be intimidated. No traditional institution should be falsely accused. And no genuine landowner should be dispossessed without due process of law.

“We respectfully call on the Ogun State Government to direct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the entire matter.

“Let the government establish the historical ownership, present claims, documentary evidence, court judgments, boundaries and activities of all parties concerning the affected areas. We also appeal to the government to protect the peace of Ikangba, Imodi, Imosan and Agoro and prevent the dispute from escalating into a security crisis. As bona fide sons of Ikangba, we cannot work against our own town.

“We cannot deliberately harm our people, destroy their property or support anything capable of bringing suffering, violence or instability to Ikangba. Our position is not about fighting anybody. It is about protecting the truth, preserving peace and ensuring that our people are not intimidated or dispossessed through extra-legal means.

“If anyone believes that he has a legitimate claim to any portion of land in Ikangba, Imodi, Imosan or Agoro, let him come forward with his evidence and submit himself to lawful investigation and adjudication.”

It was gathered that, as part of measures to sustain peace across communities in Ogun State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Olarewaju Ogungbade, SAN, is set to conduct an independent enquiry into the land dispute rocking the Ikangba community.

The Ikangba land had been a subject of litigations at the Ijebu Ode Division of the State High Court, as well as the Ogun State Multi-Door Court, at different times.

It was also gathered that the land dispute commenced about five years ago when an artisan, said to be a long-term resident of Ikangba, connived with some indigenes to lay claim to the ancestral land of the Ikangbas.

The said land grabber thereafter instituted a legal case at the State High Court, Ijebu Ode Division, where he sought judicial declaration of his alleged ownership of the land.

However, the matter was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution following his failure to appear in court.

Following the striking out of the case,  the Ikangba community instituted its own case against the alleged land grabber, seeking, among other reliefs, the court’s declaration that he should keep off the community land.

The court gave the community a favourable judgement in June 2024, in a case with reference Number HCJ/119/2021.

However, in January 2026, a new group, led by one Bashiru Thomas, who claimed to be part of Yeye Luwa, Ositekun, and Oluweri families of Ita Osun area of Ijebu Ode, laid claim to the land.

The new claimants subsequently instituted a legal case against the Ikangba community at the Ogun State Multi-Door Court, where the parties were directed to settle the matter between themselves.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that policemen at the Obalende Division, Igbeba Area Command, and the Ogun State Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, have been harassing the Ikangba people and those who bought land from them.