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LAGOS – Despite the outcry of the people and government intervention, the residents of Ajasa-Command area in Ipaja, Lagos State endured a weekend of terror as land grabbers, led by Chief Mutairu Owoeye, a notorious land speculator from Sango-Ota, Ogun State, invaded the community.
The invasion, which occurred on Friday, February 16, 2024, sent shockwaves through the neighborhood as armed thugs, accompanied by soldiers and police officers, forcefully claimed possession of properties under the guise of executing a court judgment.
They pasted court case posters and marked houses with red ink, instilling fear and uncertainty among residents.
The Ifelagba Community Development Association (CDA) promptly engaged the DPO of Meiran Police Station, SP Olasehinde Faweya, seeking intervention.
However, despite assurances from Faweya that the invaders were only there to paste court information, subsequent reports of harassment, extortion, and property damage prompted him to take action.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, SP Faweya led a raid on areas where residents were being extorted and directed those locked out of their homes to break back in.
One of the hardest-hit residents, Alhaji Ola Badmus, suffered significant financial losses due to the invaders occupying his business premises.
By Tuesday afternoon, the land grabbers had seized several undeveloped plots, sold some, and commenced construction on others, signaling their intent to profit from the unlawful occupation.
In a surprising turn of events, the soldiers and their vehicles disappeared on Saturday afternoon, amid speculation that their actions had attracted the attention of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who frowned upon their unauthorized deployment in a civilian community.
Meanwhile, Oba Sule Odu-Alabe, the Paramount Ruler of Ajasa, expressed dismay at the conduct of the Ologunebi family, the other party in the land dispute, emphasizing that the matter is still pending before the Supreme Court.
Assuring the community of a resolution, Oba Sule Odu-Alabe urged calm and revealed legal proceedings underway to address the land grabbers’ actions.
Despite these assurances, the land grabbers and their thugs persist in their siege on the vulnerable community, highlighting the urgent need for further intervention and protection for the residents.
