Resident of the Isioye village, in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, have called on the security agents and the government to save them from the activities of land grabbers.
Addressing journalists in the community on Friday, the the Baale of Isioye, Chief Yusuf Ajibo said the land grabbers, allegedly led by one Olayiwola Olayemi, had been terrorising the community despite several reports and warning.
Chief Ajobo explained that when asked on whose authority the alleged land grabber were acting, the said Olayemi disclosed that it was on the instruction of the Akibio of Ilora, Oba Stephen Oluwafemi Oparinde.
Chief Ajobo who led some members of the community to register their grievances at the said they arrested those terrorising the community and handed them over to the police.
According to a commercial farmer in the area, Akin Akande Sanyaolu, he lamented the high level of intimidation, harassment, extortion, and threat to life by the suspected land grabbers.
He alleged that the land grabbers were already surveying the community’s land and daring anybody who challenged them by beating and injuring them.
He lamented that the life of people at the community were being threatened on a daily basis.
He added that the land grabbers are claiming that the land belongs to that of Akibio of Ilora.
Also, another Isioye community leader, Abimbade, corroborated the claim and advised the alleged land grabbers to desist from their action.
While reacting to the allegation, the Chairman, Ilora Development Association, Mr Olaniyan said the land in dispute was originally owned by the people of Ilora but along the line, the land was taken over by foreigners who were at the time labourers of the original owners.
Mr Olaniyan added that it was due to ageing and death of Ilora residents who were originally owner that the foreigners now took over.
He assured that Oba Oluwafemi had contacted necessary agencies to intervene in the crisis.
