By: Manoah Kikekon 

Vandalised building and Leader of the land grabbers: Mr Jayeola Jimoh Togun, Baale Ajagungbale of Okaran communities. 

ADO-ODO/OTA, OGUN STATE – A major security crisis is brewing in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area as residents of Okanran and 47 other Ogu-speaking communities have raised a frantic alarm over persistent attacks by suspected land grabbers. The embattled residents are calling for an immediate intervention from Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Federal Government, and security agencies to prevent a total breakdown of law and order.

The communities, boasting an ancestral history spanning over five generations, claim they are currently under siege by a group allegedly led by a Baale of the Akapo family. The residents accuse this group of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation, assault, and property destruction to forcibly annex their ancestral lands.

At the heart of the dispute is a claim to approximately 1,200 hectares of land. The communities allege that the group is using a "fraudulent gazette" purportedly issued during the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel to justify their actions. However, community leaders maintain that the legal justification being used is rooted in a chieftaincy dispute—not land ownership and that the Supreme Court had previously dismissed attempts to link the two.

"They are misrepresenting court rulings to terrorize us," one community leader stated. "Armed men frequently invade our villages, creating a climate of fear that has brought farming and trading our primary livelihoods—to a complete standstill."

The residents further alleged that some officials within the Bureau of Lands and Survey are complicit, accusing them of facilitating the appropriation of community land through falsified documentation.

The crisis is not new but has recently escalated to dangerous levels. Residents recalled a traumatic incident in 2011 where a young man was killed near a local primary school, leading to the school's closure. While a subsequent Peace Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed between the communities and the Akapo family, residents claim the terms are no longer being honored.

Adding to their plight is a stark lack of government presence. The 48 affected communities decried years of systemic neglect, citing: Zero Infrastructure: A total absence of motorable roads and electricity. 

Educational Collapse: The only public school in the area has been destroyed, forcing children to trek to distant neighboring villages.

Healthcare Deficit: No accessible medical facilities for thousands of inhabitants.

Despite a recent appearance before a Grade One Customary Court in Ado-Odo on November 4, 2025, and a subsequent escalation to the Ogun State High Court, residents say the harassment continues. They noted that a court order of perpetual injunction was issued to restrain encroachment, yet armed groups allegedly continue to bypass these boundaries.

In an emotional "Save Our Souls" appeal, the Okanran communities including Okanran Balogun Tafin, Okanran Awole, Okanran Ayame, and 45 others demanded that the state government:

1.  Revoke the Disputed Gazette: Investigate the legitimacy of the land claims linked to the previous administration.

2.  Ensure Security: Deploy permanent security patrols to protect farmers and traders.

3.  Investigate the Bureau of Lands: Root out officials allegedly aiding land speculators.