Members of the Olarinde Royal Family in New Oguntedo, Satellite Town, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, have raised alarm over what they describe as a forceful takeover of their ancestral land by suspected land grabbers.
The family staged a protest at The PUNCH Place on Wednesday to draw public attention to the matter.
Alleged intimidation by police
Family spokesperson Prince Yussuf Olarinde alleged that some officers of the Nigeria Police Force were working with the suspected land grabbers to dispossess them of their land and intimidate them.
He said members of the family had suffered harassment, intimidation and even unlawful detention.
“The Oguntedo family land was acquired by the military government through an official Federal Government gazette for public purposes. Meanwhile, my grandfather, who was a traditional ruler then, because all our family land was acquired, pleaded with the Federal Government for a resettlement, and the former head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo, the then military Head of State, visited the villagers, held a meeting and promised them that he would make sure a new resettlement scheme was carved out for them and he did, like he said.”History of the land and court rulings
Olarinde explained that the Federal Government allocated 14 living quarters and farmlands to the family as compensation, and a Lagos High Court judgment had already recognised their ownership for more than 30 years.
“We’ve been in possession of that place for about 34 years now, since we got the judgement and it has been enforced for over 30 years. So, we are surprised with all these new people claiming ownership of those properties and rather than seeking redress in a competent court of law to prove their right of ownership, they have resorted to using hoodlums to force us out of the property.”Past arrests and ongoing fears
He said the dispute, which dates back to between 2014 and 2016, led to false accusations of murder against some family members, who were detained while invaders took over the land and looted homes and vehicles.
“Even after we were granted judgment over the land by a Lagos High Court and were in possession for over 30 years, new claimants emerged. Instead of approaching the court, they resorted to thuggery and violence.”
“As I speak, we are not safe. Thugs, under the guise of unionists, recently attempted to assassinate me. We need a 24-hour police patrol to protect lives and property. We have been forced out of our homes.”Appeal to authorities
The family urged Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to intervene and bring those behind the alleged oppression to book.
Another family member, Zainab Olarinde, said the attackers were attracted by the rising value of their land.
“The land‑grabbers are interested, because one plot on our side now is like N40m to N50m. So, that’s what is attracting them. Our properties are forcefully taken from us.”
“The issue has led to the disruption of my academics due to the financial burden it has brought on us.”Official silence
When contacted, Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso said he was not aware of the situation, while State Police PRO CSP Benjamin Hundeyin did not respond to calls or messages as of press time.