By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A crisis seems to be brewing between the Isinkan and Akure communities over land disputes, following the invasion of armed men in Ajegunle, a community in Isinkan, which disrupted an ongoing estate project.
It was gathered that the armed men, numbering ten, were armed with cutlasses, guns, and other dangerous weapons. They invaded the site, destroying equipment and beating and injuring workers on site.
An eyewitness explained that the men, who arrived at the site in a pilot vehicle, drove away the workers and destroyed the ongoing work.
According to the eyewitness, one of the invaders, identified as Tayo, claimed that they were carrying out the orders of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, to stop the work and bring the workers to his palace.
He said, “The said Tayo said he was carrying out the order of the Deji, and no one can stop him from carrying out the directive of the Deji, that everyone at the site should be brought to his palace.”
While speaking on the development, the secretary of the families that own the land, Mr Akin Akinwumi, said the land belongs to the families of the Late Chief Akin Agbi, Pa Fanibuyan, and Akinwumi.
He said the Iralepo of Isinkan gave the land to their great-grandfathers, and they have been farming on the land for more than 500 years.
“This land belongs to us. Our fathers and grandfathers farmed on the land. We had jointly done the perimeter survey and layout. We also, by agreement, sold the land to an estate developer, PWAN Homes Ltd.”
“I was surprised when the developer called to complain about the invasion from the palace of the Deji of Akure. I began to wonder, What is Deji’s concern about the sale of my own property, or when does it become a crime to lawfully sell one’s property?”
“The Iralepo, who bequeathed the land to our forefathers, didn’t even disturb us. I think the Deji should be called to order, lest he drives away investors in the state capital,” he said.
When contacted, the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Olofin-Adimula, said the matter had been reported at his palace and referred to the Ondo State Police Command for investigation, with a view to bringing the culprits to book.
“This is not the first time we have experienced this type of disruption of peace. I urge concerned authorities to genuinely intervene before it gets out of hand,” he said.
He explained that “the perimeter and layout approvals had been issued by relevant government agencies. The area that the Deji of Akure’s thugs went to cause trouble today belongs to the family of late Chief Akin Agbi, Akinwumi’s Fanibuyan, Afeyeye, and Adekunle.”
“All of them are descendants of the Iralepo of Isinkan. They had disposed of the land to an estate development company, and a valid contract had been executed.”
While reacting, the palace of the Deji of Akure said the monarch never sent any thugs to the land, stating that the palace does not breed such individuals nor have any relationship with thugs whatsoever.
Speaking on behalf of the Deji, the Chief Press Secretary, Michael Adeyeye, said that the Ajegunle community is not part of Isinkan nor does it have any affiliation with Isinkan, as claimed.
He said, “The palace received a ‘Save Our Souls’ message from the Ajegunle community leaders and residents, stating that the Iralepo of Isinkan had hired some miscreants to destroy their crops on the premise that he had sold the land to one developer without the knowledge of the community.”
“It was the people who mobilised to stop the wanton destruction of their crops before they called on the Deji to order the Iralepo to desist from illegally taking possession of their farmland.”
“It was based on this information that the Deji sent some palace staff to invite the developer to come and explain why he would illegally take over people’s land within his domain without going through due process.
“As we speak, the police are already investigating the illegal occupants of the land and their collaborators, who caused significant malicious damage to the crops and livelihoods of the good people of the Ajegunle community in Akure.
“We believe that the police will do a thorough job and bring the company and their illegal collaborators to book.”
He, however, said, “The Palace wishes to implore all genuine developers to be wary of these criminals who consistently engage in illegal invasions and sales of land.
“All investors should carry out detailed investigations of such land to avoid falling into the hands of swindlers and fraudsters.”
Checks at the state police headquarters in Akure showed that some of the people who invaded the land have been invited for questioning.
Tribune