LEAVE OUR ANCESTRAL LANDS ITUN ALARA DESCENDANTS WARNS AS LAND GRABBERS LAY SIEGE ON EREFUN OGUNBENA VILLAGE ARMED
LEAVE OUR ANCESTRAL LANDS
ITUN ALARA DESCENDANTS WARNS
AS LAND GRABBERS LAY SIEGE ON EREFUN OGUNBENA VILLAGE ARMED
The ancestral lands of the people of Itun Alara Makun in Sagamu have become a battleground, as land grabbers reportedly seize and encroach upon their territory, forcing many descendants out of their ancestral homes.The ancestral land situated at Erefun Ogunbena after Ita Sanni Kamalo.
The land, spanning hundreds of acres, has been seized by land grabbers using thugs and societal influence to forcibly take over the land, which holds deep cultural and historical significance for the people of Itun Alara of Makun Sagamu.
The affected descendants and villagers have reached out for help, seeking intervention from traditional rulers. According to one of the descendants “We have written petition to the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Dr. Babatunde Ajayi CFR, Ministry of Justice at Agbeloba (Landgrabber Office), Governor’s Office, Ogijo Police Station, Sagamu Area Command but all to no avail.
Sunday Oladipo, a descendant who has lived on the land for over 78 years, recounted the distressing events. “I was born there and have been there for more than 78 years. Things have been peaceful until April last year when Police Officer came with vehicles alongside the thugs stormed the village, arresting four of our family members and taken to Eleweran police command in Abeokuta. We tried all we could to get them released with evidences which includes surveys and other court documents of 1930s – 1950s.
We have pleaded with both the Akarigbo and His Excellence, Governor Dapo Abiodun to help us, but the threat remains and worse still, we have not been able to go home,” he lamented.
Otunba Solomon Afolabi, another descendant, expressed frustration over the ongoing destruction and violence. “Since last year, land grabbers led by:
Kamorudeen Lamina (a.k.a Sir K Oluwo),
Omobolaji Biodun Saheed (a.k.a Papy),
Saheed Adejuwon (a.k.a Agali) have stormed our village, destroying farms, buildings, and selling off our land.
The police have been unhelpful because these Land Grabbers are highly connected.
We have all our documents intact, but since the invasion, some of our people who dare to go to the village were shot (see picture) but escaped miraculously.
Prince Taiwo Sodeinde also shared his ordeal. “I built my house there, but a man called Agali, working with Sir k Oluwo, encroached on our land and destroyed my property.
Our family head (Olori Ebi) was taken away by these thugs and police detachment from Abuja for close to three weeks before we could find out his whereabouts and secure his release. We reported to the police with our documents, but nothing has been done.”
The crisis in Erefun Ogunbena underscores the urgent need for intervention by authorities and traditional rulers to protect the ancestral lands and restore peace to the Community.
