Residents of Yegunda, Abomiti, and Eyin-Osa development areas of Lagos State began protest following the invasion of land grabber attacks in their communities.
The 300 communities that made up the development zones were resettled on the land by the state government after giving up their former land for state projects.
It was reported that the land grabber hired two hoodlums to sack the community member from the land on Saturday.
The hoodlum was said to have set three houses on fire and injured residents. The hoodlums were said to have allegedly stolen rams and motorcycles.
The chairman of Eyin-Osa and Odofin of Epe Resettlement Committee, High Chief Olatunde Oluwo stated land measuring about 800hectares was allotted to them by Lagos State Government.
The Oluwo said “The government acquired our land through global acquisition. They then gave us about 800 hectares as resettlement land for the three zones. We filed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government and they gave us Certificate-of-Occupancy to show that we are the statutory owner of the land. The C-of-O was written in the association’s name.”
On Wednesday, the council of chiefs, resettlement committee members, and community youths took to the street to protest. The Oluwo further stated “We do not have any dealings with them but they are trying to take our land. This land was given to us by the government. The government acquired over 8,000 hectares from us and gave us the C-of-O of 800 hectares this year.”
The protesters bemoaned the brutalization and loss of property during the invasion. It was gathered that farmers who were dismissed from their homes by the hoodlums have been unable to go back to their farms.
