Tension is looming in Ikale communities of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the alleged invasion of lands in the area by private firms.
Indigenes of the communities, who in their numbers protested against the development, alleged intimidation of genuine landowners by the firms.
While converging on A1 and A9 areas of the communities, the protesting indigenes from communities comprising Ikale community, Ago Alaye and Agrifon, described the activities of the firms as a clear disregard of their rights and a threat to the livelihoods of indigenes.
The protesters, who were armed with placards bearing various inscriptions such as ‘Enough is Enough,’ ‘We Say No to Rex Intimidation,’ ‘Ikale Communities Say No to Marginalization,’ among others, chanted solidarity songs, insisting that they are fed up with the firms’ activities in the communities.
The Youth Leader of the communities, Gabriel Adeyeye, while speaking to newsmen over the development, emphasised that for the sake of harmony, the firms should respect the rights of the genuine indigenes.
Adeyeye also claimed that the companies’ actions were not only affecting their lives but also undermining the peace and stability of the community.
“For many years, we’ve been intimidated and marginalized 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.”
While calling for the intervention of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, community leaders, Omosebi Ikupuluy and Olawale Araromi, expressed displeasure over the companies’ actions.
