The residents of Sidipon community comprising six villages of Okepa, Moko, Solotan, Sarogun, Sajon and Ijebu in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have raised alarm of being exposed to marauders following demolition of security gate leading to the communities.
Addressing journalists through the spokesperson of Baale in Council, Mr. Akeem Sofela, the community, which accommodates over 4,000 inhabitants, alleged that the officials of the state Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development stormed the community to pull down the gate.
Sofela, accompanied by members of the Community Development Association (CDA), said the officials in company of armed policemen used excavator to destroy the gate, claiming that portions of land within community is government acquisition.
He alleged that the exercise was carried out without any prior notice, arguing that the said portion of land had earlier been conceded to the community, and it was surprising that it was same government that ordered the demolition
“Early this morning we just saw urban planners and physical planning who have come to demolish properties on this land of ours. When armed robbers started disturbing us in this community, We had a meeting and concluded that a gate should be in place”, he explained.
The spokesperson further said: “We have experienced various cases of thefts where people, stakeholders have complained that some of their properties are missing. We just saw some people yesterday ready to demolish buildings in our community, they came with armed policeman caterpillar excavator. We make them understand that the land belongs to the community, but they refused and harassed us”, Sofela added.
‘They demolished our security post which was put in place to safeguard us, this is the reason we have all come together and called for media attention to create awareness about this issue to the public. This issue has been brought to the Governor’s awareness like 2 years back when they came to demolish a building back then.
“We went to the Governor’s office to see the Governor of Ogun state but we were told by the workers we won’t be able to see the Governor. What even shocked us was that the people who we want to report to the Governor are the same people who attended to us.
“Town Planner, Tunji Odunlami was the person we wanted to report and he is the same person they told to attend to us, we refused to have any discussion with him but one of the workers came to beg us and told us that whenever we see Tunji Odulami he is being sent by the Governor.
“The Governor landed in a helicopter on this same day and we were still not allowed to see him. We informed the press about this issue when it happened, it was then Tunji Odunlami told us that they won’t come to bother us anymore, that they know the government has allocated this land to us but what they are saying is that we should come, so they can do a layout. It has been up to five years and our people have been unable to get this layout.
“We wrote a letter to the Government and the House of Assembly to give them a notice about what is going on in our land. Around this period the Governor created, Land Enquiry Commission in response to these issues we have stated.
“With this commission created, it served as an opportunity for us where we write a letter to this commission. We were invited together with the Director General of Bureau lands/survey and the Director for Finance where we all talked to length.
‘The Director General Bureau lands/survey said they are not concerned about acquisition but what they want to do is construct a road passing through our village and we have refused to allow them to do this. Our lawyer, Barrister Adeniyi asked the Director General of Bureau of Lands/Survey in front of the commission if there is a document which tackles the document, we have to claim the land.
“He answered saying there is no document in their possession then Barrister Adeniyi then asked why they are disturbing us over a land they do not have access to or claim over it. We have experienced difficulties and various cases whereby we see some people claiming to be agents so they can sell off some of our lands but we charged one of these agents to court and the issue related to that was resolved.
“There are six villages under this community of ours (Oke Paa, Moko, Sholotan, Sharogun, Sajon and Ijebu) and we are over 4,000 in population. The survey we have covers these 6 villages and we are all together as one. We want the Governor to please find a solution to the demolished buildings and security post, we have done everything they have asked us to do”.
The CDA said investigation conducted by the body revealed that there was a clandestine move by some top government officials, who are interested the choice of area where the land is located to allocate to a group called G5.
The community spokesperson recalled that sometime in 2022, the Ministry stormed the community and demolished over 50 buildings, which led to a protest and the government thereafter hands off the demolition.
The residents lamented that the new twist caught them unaware, explaining that the gate was erected purposely for security measures, pointing out that with the demolition, residents are now been exposed to danger from activities of criminally-minded people.
The Baale-in-Council said following earlier concede by the government, the community filed a ratification application, but five years after the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development kept mute, rather continuing to feign ignorance of the application
“Our forebearers are the owners of the land, we have even filed an application for ratification of the land after the government conceded the land to us, but for five years the Ministry has continued to keep silence, in an attempt to frustrate us”, he stated
Sofela disclosed that the government approved survey of the community is in the custody of the Community Development Association (CDA), which was also presented to journalists.
“We are calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to come to our aid. The demolition of the security gate is a risk that exposes us to danger, and criminal activities of bad eggs in the society. The government should please not toy with the lives of over 4,000 inhabitants of the communities”, he said.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tunji Odunlami confirmed the demolition exercise, which he said was after service of notice were given to their community, of which the residents feigned ignorance.
“Yes, the enforcement and compliance arm of the Ministry carried out the demolition of illegal structures at Sidipon village opposite the Laderin mechanic village after due diligence of serving the required statutory notices. The demolition was carried out after the notices have long expired without any representation from the owners of the illegal structures. You may visit our office if you need further information. Thank”, he said.
