Tension as land grabbers allegedly sent by Deji of Akure invade autonomous Isinkan community

By OUR REPORTER, Akure

There was a palpable tension in Isinkan, headquarters of Akure West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ondo State, on Thursday November 21, 2024 as land grabbers, armed with guns and other dangerous weapon, invaded Ajegunle community in the township, to disrupt ongoing housing estate project.

The thugs numbering ten were at the site, drove away workers and destroyed their equipment.

One of them identified as Tayo said the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, allegedly sent them to stop the work and bring workers to his palace.

“Even Ooni of Ife cannot stop me from carrying out the directive of the Deji, Kabiyesi said everyone at the site should be brought to his palace,” he was said to have boasted.

Secretary to the families of the land owners, Mr Akin Akinwumi, said the land belongs to the families of Late Chief Akin Agbi, Pa Fanibuyan and Akinwumi.

According to the families’ secretary, the Iralepo of Isinkan gave the land to their fore fathers and they have been farming on the land for more than 500 years.

“This land belongs to us. Our fathers, grand fathers were farming on the land. We had jointly done the parameter survey and layout. We also in agreement sold the land to an estate developer, PWAN Homes Ltd.

“I am surprised when the developer called to complain of invasion from the palace of the Deji of Akure. I began to wonder, what is Deji’s concern about the sale of my own property or when does it become a crime to lawfully sell one’s property.

“The Iralepo who bequeathed the land to our fore fathers didn’t even disturb us. I think the Deji should be called to order less he drives away investors in the state capital,” he explained.

When contacted, the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Olofin-Adimula, said the matter was reported at his palace.

The monarch said the matter had been referred to the Ondo State Police Command for investigation with a view to bringing culprits to book.

“This is not the first time we will be experiencing this type of disruption of peace. I urged concern authorities to genuinely intervene before it gets out of hands,” the Isinkan king said.

A source in the Deji’s palace confirmed the palace’s knowledge of the land grabbers’ outing although he refused to accept accusation of them being addressed as land grabbers.

What he, however, could not defend was what some men numbering up to ten came, from an entirely different Akure township community, to do on another autonomous township community of Isinkan with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons on them in broad day light.

Checks at the state police headquarters in Akure showed that some of the thugs and Aides of the Deji have been invited for questioning.