Tensions rose over the weekend as residents of five communities in Ago-Iwoye, mostly elderly farmers, staged a protest against the alleged seizure and sale of more than 500 acres of farmland by the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasaq Adesina Adenuga.
The protesters, drawn from Isamuro, Imosun, Igan, Awori, and Idode communities, marched along the palace road under the watch of security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
They accused the monarch of taking over ancestral farmlands under the guise of government consent, leaving many residents financially and emotionally strained.
Armed with placards inscribed with messages such as “Stop threatening us with juju, DSS and thugs”, “We are tired of Ebumawe land grabbing activities”, and “Stop land grabs of our land, our lives!”, the demonstrators demanded the immediate removal of the traditional ruler.
Speaking during the protest, the Baale of Isamuro, Tirimisiyu Ogunkoya, alleged that Oba Adenuga frequently encroached on farmlands across the communities, destroying crops and selling portions to buyers while claiming the land had been acquired for government or corporate projects.
“We are here protesting because the Ebumawe has encroached on over 500 acres of land belonging to five towns in Ago-Iwoye and sold parts of it off. He is planning to sell more, while telling people stories about airports and factories,” Ogunkoya said.
Some residents, including Mr Emmanuel Olukayode, claimed that the monarch encroached on their inherited lands. Olukayode said his late father’s 10-hectare farmland, cultivated with borrowed funds to grow cocoa, kola, and other crops, had been taken, putting him under financial strain as repayments were made from his pension income.
Prof Adeniyi Adefela of Tai Solarin University of Education appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, warning that if the matter was not addressed, residents would be advised to seek legal redress.
The Acting Village Head of Lagan, Dr Segun Onasote, said the people of Ago-Iwoye were exhausted by what he described as persistent land grabbing in the area.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said he was in a meeting and would respond later.
Oba Adenuga, however, dismissed the allegations, describing them as the handiwork of mischief-makers intent on creating discord in the town.
