The ancient Owu-Ikosi Kingdom, in the Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Epe Division, is facing a deepening crisis as ‘ajagungbale’ (landgrabbers) forcibly invade community land, intimidate residents, and cripple local commerce.

At a press conference held at the palace of the Olowu of Owu-Ikosi, Oba Nelson Aderemi Obayomi Ogunlari, flanked by his council of chiefs, the monarch delivered a scathing condemnation of the landgrabbers and dissociated the royal stool from any individual or group involved in the illicit practice.

The king issued a desperate plea to the Lagos State government and security agencies for immediate intervention, warning that the situation is rapidly descending into anarchy. He confirmed that the landgrabbers had made incursions into multiple villages across Epe Division and, though initially driven away from Owu-Ikosi, their return has been relentless and increasingly aggressive.

“The state government should act quickly before it becomes an issue like that of herdsmen,” the monarch cautioned, drawing a parallel to security challenges in other parts of the country.

He implored Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to swiftly come to the aid of the community and urged the State House of Assembly to enact a law to curb land grabbing.

The traditional rulers and chiefs made a joint, urgent call for the deployment of state security forces.

“We are calling on Governor Sanwo-Olu to quickly address this to prevent unrest, and specifically on the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Area Commander of Area N to come and save our lives and souls before it is too late.

“We urge the Lagos State House of Assembly to make a law to support the work of the Lagos State Task Force on Land Grabbers (LSTF), as this will help curb land grabbing in the state.”

The monarch noted that the escalating violence poses a direct threat to the state government’s investment in the area, particularly the relocation of sawmillers from Okobaba to Imofa.

Oluwo/Jagun Oba of Owu-Ikosi, Chief Olumide Osilaja, painted a grim picture of daily life, stating that the situation has become so pervasive that no part of the community is free from the landgrabbers.

“They are now in our farms with the hoodlums they are using to harass our people. Farmers cannot go to their farms, and our women cannot conduct their daily business,” Osilaja said.

He added that people visiting the sawmills to purchase planks are being stopped and extorted for large sums of money.

“The thugs are reportedly armed with cutlasses and guns, and are seen taking harmful drugs, fuelling panic in the community.”

Baale of Asaasa/Oke-Odo in Owu-Ikosi, Prince Adeoluwa Adekoya, said gunshots are now being heard in the community, creating widespread fear.

“Before it escalates to a point where the government cannot handle it, that is why we are making this plea to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and security agencies to come and rescue us,” he said. (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)