BY AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, IBADAN
Dozens of aggrieved residents of Olosa-Oko, Alabata, Ajibade Akuro and adjoining communities in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Thursday, protested against the alleged planned demolition of their houses by the state government in a bid to take over the land.
The placards carrying protesters, stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat Complex, Agodi, Ibadan, causing traffic hold up in the area.
They alleged that two persons had died in the community as a result of shock in the light of government’s plan to demolish residents’ properties.
The leader of the group, Seriki Kazeem, said that the plan to convert their properties to a business district would be counterproductive.
Kazeem said, “We are here to protest Oyo State Government’s plan to demolish our houses. They want to use it for a business district.
“Our houses are not on government acquisition. They should change the plan. Government can use other pieces of land for development. We are not against development in Oyo State.”
Noting that demolishing buildings in the community would not make economic sense, he said, “There are buildings worth over N10 million, N70 million and above in our community.
“They should leave us alone. They have not finished using the land that they acquired. We learnt that they want to sell the land among themselves. Two landlords had died from shock because of the matter.”
Isaq Abdulakeem, who claimed that he had three houses in the community, said that if government failed to rescind its plan, the consequence would be adverse.
The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya, said that the matter was already before the State House of Assembly, adding that he had met with the head of the community on amicable resolution of the matter.
