Protests rock Ondo communities over alleged invasion
By Boye Oyeyemi –
Indigenes of Ikale communities in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have protested against what they described as the invasion of their ancestral land and intimidation of their people by private companies.
The protesters, drawn from Ago-Alaye and Agrifon, stormed the A1 and A9 areas with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough”, “We say No to Rex Intimidation”, and “Ikale Communities Say No to Marginalisation”, while chanting solidarity songs to press home their demands.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the youth leader of the communities, Mr Gabriel Adeyeye, urged the company involved to respect the rights of genuine indigenes.
He said, “We are here to register our grievances against undue intimidation unleashed on us not only by Rex Forestry Limited but also by Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited.
“For many years, we’ve been intimidated and marginalised by the people of Araromi-Obu claiming they are the illegal owners of the land. We gave them the land; they took us to court, claiming ownership of the land. On May 13, 2019, a reputable judge, then in Ondo State, Justice O. O. Akeredolu, delivered a judgement, affirming categorically that this land, through historical background, belongs to Ikale.”
“Ever since then, we have been trying our best to ensure that we execute the judgement. The other parties try all they could to boycott the judgement, but all efforts prove abortive. As we collectively speak now, this land belongs to us, and it has come to stay; now is the time to get back our land,” he added.
He called for the urgent intervention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to stop the alleged harassment, while community leaders, Olawale Araromi and Omosebi Ikupuluyi, also appealed to the government to wade into the matter before it snowballs into conflict.
