Follow Us on Google
By Oluseye Ojo
Thousands of Ibadan residents took to the streets yesterday, barricading major roads and causing widespread traffic congestion in protest against the Oyo State Government’s alleged plans to acquire more land for the Ibadan Circular Road project.
The protesters, who came from Ido, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele, Oluyole, and Egbeda Local Government Areas, converged on Iwo Road and the Agodi Government Secretariat. They barricaded both the entry and exit points of the secretariat and inhibited human and vehicular movements.
They carried placards with messages like ‘Maintain 150 metres setback’, ‘Don’t take our land’, and ‘Makinde, respect Ladoja’s plan’.
The demonstration, described as peaceful and non-political, aimed to protect residents’ property and urged the government to maintain the existing 150-metre boundary for the road project, established during former Governor Rashidi Ladoja administration. Ladoja is the current Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Other News
Protesters argued that the land acquisition for the Ibadan Circular Road began in 2005, and many had settled in the affected areas before the project started. They insisted that extending the corridor beyond the designated 150 metres would be unjust to property owners.
“We are not sponsored by anyone. We are only protecting our property and appealing to the government to complete the circular road and leave the corridor as it is,” a resident said.
The protest caused significant traffic disruption, and security operatives monitored the situation to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
But the Oyo State Government has not responded to the protesters’ demands.
