‘Leave our ancestral lands alone’- Ondo farmers to land grabbers

By Boye Oyeyemi

Residents and farmers of Ipinlerere Camp in Owena, Ayetoro area of Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest over an alleged attempt to take over their farmlands.

The protesters, who turned out in large numbers, said their survival depends on the land, urging the state government to allow them continue farming without interference.

“We feed our children from this farm; we don’t want to resort to stealing. Government should allow us to remain here,” the demonstrators chanted.

Speaking with newsmen, a farmer, Okoze Isaac, said he had been residing in the community for over five decades, insisting that the land has always belonged to Idanre people.

“I came here in 1972 when the place was known as Ipinlerere. I have never heard that Akure owns this farmland,” he said.

Isaac alleged that the crisis escalated when some individuals arrived with bulldozers to clear the land, adding that the farmers have always been peaceful and wish to remain so. “They brought bulldozers and started clearing the land, but we are not fighting. We are only protesting peacefully,” he stated.

Similarly, another resident, Akinsola Akintan, described the situation as unfortunate, warning that displacing the farmers could worsen hardship as the land serves as a major source of livelihood to numerous families.

Another protesting farmer, Dele Akindojuromi said the land belonged to their forefather, appealing to the authorities to intervene and protect their ancestral heritage.