Follow Us on Google
For generations, the people of Ajogbo Akia in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have depended on the soil beneath their feet. Their farms have provided food, income and a connection to an ancestral heritage that residents say stretches back several centuries.
But that relationship with the land is now under threat. Residents of Ajogbo Akia and adjoining Ogu-speaking communities are living in anxiety following allegations of encroachment on their ancestral farmlands and the destruction of crops and economic trees by suspected land grabbers.
The alleged invasion, according to the residents, has not only damaged farms but also threatened the livelihood of a largely agrarian population whose survival is closely tied to the land.
They are now calling on President Bola Tinubu, Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, security agencies, the state Ministry of Agriculture and the Bureau of Lands and Survey to urgently intervene in the dispute before it escalates.
For the Baale of Ajogbo Akia, Dr Oluwasegun Adebiyi, the current dispute is more than a disagreement over parcels of land. He described the community as an ancient settlement whose history is deeply intertwined with farming, hunting and the gradual transformation of a once-forested landscape into a home for generations.
According to him, the ancestral history of the community is linked to Isabe and Onisabe, traditionally regarded as one of the 16 children of Oduduwa. He said Ajogbo Akia derived its name from Akia, one of the early settlers, who established a settlement in the area after clearing portions of the forest for farming and constructing mud houses.
Over the years, the community developed peacefully alongside neighbouring settlements, with successive generations cultivating the land and passing it on to their children. That peace, Adebiyi said, is now being tested.
“We are predominantly an agrarian community. We rely on our land for our livelihood,” he said.
According to him, residents have watched helplessly as portions of their farmland were allegedly invaded and crops destroyed. Among the crops reportedly affected are cassava, yam, maize, okra and pepper, while palm and Gmelina arborea trees were also allegedly cut down.
For the farmers, the destruction of the palm trees represents more than the loss of timber or produce. Adebiyi alleged that some of the palm trees destroyed were between 50 and 100 years old. Such trees, he said, represented a living connection between the present generation and those who cultivated the land decades ago.
Their destruction, therefore, carries both an economic and cultural cost. The palm trees had provided agricultural value to families, while also forming part of the landscape inherited from previous generations.
For a community already struggling with limited infrastructure, residents fear that continued destruction of farmland could deepen poverty and undermine the future of younger generations.
The community’s response so far, according to its leaders, has been to seek lawful intervention. Adebiyi said the matter had been reported to the Ado Odo Police Division, adding that the police indicated that persons allegedly involved would be invited for questioning.
But the community leader expressed concern over what he described as the lack of meaningful action so far.
“We do not want to take the law into our hands. We believe the government should be able to protect us and ensure that justice is served,” he said.
He appealed to the Olofin Adimula of Ado Odo, the Ado Odo/Ota Local Government, Ogun State Government, security agencies and the Federal Government to intervene and restore peace.
For residents, the appeal is not merely about settling a land dispute. It is about preventing a situation that could become more difficult to control if the alleged encroachment continues.
Mr Isaac Adebayo and Mr Olatunji Ajiki also called for decisive government action against alleged land grabbing in the area. They said allowing the situation to continue could expose farmers to further losses and worsen tension among communities.
Other News
The Otun Baale, Mr Honvoga Paul, and the Balogun of Ajogbo Akia, Mr Ashade Abiodun, also expressed concern over the alleged destruction of farmlands and economic trees. They urged the authorities to protect the community’s agricultural base while ensuring that any legitimate land-related dispute is resolved through lawful processes.
While the alleged land invasion has heightened anxiety, residents say Ajogbo Akia has for years faced another challenge: inadequate basic infrastructure. They want the government to provide electricity, accessible roads, potable water and a standard public school.
Adebiyi said residents had historically relied heavily on self-help to provide basic amenities. Among the community’s efforts, he said, was the construction of a well around 1920, as well as efforts to provide roads, water facilities, a library and temporary learning facilities.
But the residents say their capacity for self-help has reached its limit. Electricity remains one of their most pressing needs.
According to them, the community approached the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) seeking connection to the electricity network but was informed that residents would have to finance the electrification project before it could be handed over to the company.
For the community, the cost is simply beyond what residents can afford. They are therefore appealing to the Rural Electrification Agency, Ogun State Government and other relevant authorities to intervene.
Residents said electricity would do more than light homes. According to them, It would support businesses, improve security, assist students with learning and create opportunities for young people who currently have limited economic prospects.
The absence of good roads, they added, also affects the movement of agricultural produce from farms to markets, while inadequate water facilities impose additional burdens on households.
Community leaders believe that improved infrastructure could transform Ajogbo Akia from a neglected agrarian settlement into a more economically viable community. For now, the people of Ajogbo Akia say they remain committed to peace.
They insist that they are not seeking confrontation, but protection of their ancestral land, farms and property through lawful means. At the heart of their appeal is a simple demand: that the authorities listen before the dispute grows beyond the community’s ability to manage.
For a settlement whose history, according to its leaders, was built around the clearing of forests, cultivation of crops and the planting of trees that survived generations, the alleged destruction of its farmlands is seen as a threat not only to present livelihoods but also to the heritage being handed down to the next generation.
The residents are therefore asking the government to investigate the allegations, establish the facts surrounding ownership and occupation of the disputed lands, protect farmers from further destruction and ensure that any dispute is resolved according to the law.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police (CP), Bode Ojajuni, has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation on the allegations. Deputy police public relations officer in the state, ASP Opeyemi Oluborode, disclosed this in a statement.
The police said the investigation would ascertain the true facts, identify perpetrators and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice. The police clarified that disputes over land title, boundary adjustments and ownership claims are strictly civil matters that should be resolved in court.
However, it noted that where a party has legitimate title and statutory documents but suffers criminal acts such as malicious damage to crops, destruction of property, criminal trespass or threats to life, such cases can be reported to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.
To ensure safety, the Ogun State Police Command said Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers have been directed to deploy “high-visibility operational patrols and intelligence assets” to Ajogbo Akia and surrounding agricultural corridors.
“Patrol teams have been mandated to dominate the area day and night to enable farmers and residents access their farmlands without fear of violence, harassment, or unlawful interference,” the statement read
The command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against illegal land grabbing, self-help, and threats to life.
Police also commended the traditional ruler, Adebiyi, and community leaders for seeking law enforcement intervention rather than resorting to violence.
Members of the public were urged to remain calm, stay law-abiding, and provide actionable intelligence to aid investigators and ensure lasting peace.
