Farmers from five communities in Ondo State have staged a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office. They are demanding the release of two traditional rulers they say were jailed for defending their ancestral lands from a powerful land grabber.
The protesters came from Italemikan, Abusoro, Ateru, Igbomowo, and Uloko Agbonden. They carried signs reading “Free Our Obas Now” and “We Want Justice.” They say a man they do not know has suddenly claimed ownership of all their farmlands.
A spokesperson for the group, Mr. Kokuma Akinwande, accused the individual of using police and armed men to intimidate villagers. He stated that anyone who resists the takeover of their land faces arrest.
Akinwande explained that the two traditional rulers, the Olu of Igba and the Olu of Uloko Agbonden, were framed and sent to prison. He said this happened because they refused to hand over the community lands to the stranger.
The communities say they have written petitions to the state government but received no answer. They organized the peaceful protest to avoid violence and to plead for official intervention.
A government official from the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed they are aware of the dispute. The official assured the public that steps are being taken to resolve the matter.
