Farmers in the Aponmu community in Akure South Local Government Area have accused suspected land grabbers of razing their farmlands, including both food and cash crops.
The affected farmers took to the streets, protesting at the offices of the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Zone 17, and the Governor’s Office in Akure, demanding an end to the destruction.
Chief Modupe Odunayo, who spoke on behalf of the farmers, described the devastation of their farmland, which was home to valuable crops such as cocoa, palm trees, cashew, and kola nuts.
He stressed that the farmers are the rightful owners of the land, backed by legal documents, but were shocked when suspected land grabbers entered their property with bulldozers and tractors, leveling the entire plantation.
“We never expected that anyone would come onto our land and destroy everything we’ve worked hard to build over the years. It was a rude shock when some people entered our family land with tractors destroying both food and cash crops which include economic trees,” Chief Odunayo said.
He revealed that a petition had already been filed with the AIG’s office, outlining the unlawful actions of the perpetrators.
He further explained that the land in question belongs to his father and has been farmed by the community for generations.
Despite their pleas for the invaders to stop, the farmers faced threats of violence, including a specific incident where one of the land grabbers allegedly threatened to kill him with a cutlass.
“We have asked them to leave, but instead, they threatened to kill me,” he said.
In light of the growing tension, the farmers are appealing to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for intervention to safeguard their rights and prevent further destruction.
Chief Odunayo firmly stated that the land grabbers are well aware that the land does not belong to them and that the farmers have valid documentation to prove their ownership.
“They claim they are acting on some directive, but we are yet to understand what that directive is,” he added.
Olugbenga Adedugbe, a lawyer representing the farmers, clarified that his clients are descendants of Pa Gabriel Modupe, the original settler and farmer of the land over 100 years ago.
He explained that Pa Gabriel also built homes and allocated land for farming in return for rent, and none of the accused land grabbers have any familial connection to the property.
Adedugbe further accused the land grabbers of threatening to use cutlasses against anyone who attempts to stop them from accessing or selling the land.
He revealed that the land grabbers have even planned to bring in more thugs to intimidate and resist any lawful efforts to stop the sale of the farmland.
The lawyer added that the disputed land lies within an officially approved family perimeter survey, and the farmers are now unable to access portions of their property due to the ongoing interference.