Police probe farmland destruction, land grabbing claims in Ogun
By: Abudu Olalekan
Tension has been building in Ajogbo Akia, Ogun State, over claims of farmland destruction, criminal intimidation and suspected land grabbing.
For a while now, residents – together with their traditional leadership – have been raising the alarm over the activities of those they believe are land grabbers. And with those concerns gaining traction, the Ogun State Police Command decided to step in.
On Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, ordered a full and thorough investigation into the matter. In a post on its X handle, the Command said its aim is to get to the bottom of it, identify anyone behind any criminal act, and bring them to book.
That said, the police were quick to point out that disputes over land titles, ownership or boundaries are mostly civil matters. For those, the courts remain the right place to go.
But there’s an exception. If someone holds a legitimate title and proper documentation, yet still falls victim to crimes like damage to crops, destruction of property, criminal trespass or threats to life, they have every right to report such cases to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.
To stop the situation from spiralling out of control, the Command has directed its Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to deploy high-visibility patrols, alongside intelligence assets, to Ajogbo Akia and nearby agricultural areas. The plan is simple – to have a visible police presence, day and night, so farmers and residents can go about their lawful activities without fear of violence, harassment or unlawful interference.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance stance against illegal land grabbing, self-help and threats to life, the police also commended the traditional ruler of the community, Baale Dr. Oluwasegun Adebiyi, and other community leaders for choosing to seek help through lawful channels, rather than resorting to violence.
The Command has appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding. More importantly, it urged them to cooperate with investigators by providing any credible and useful information that could aid the probe – as earlier highlighted by Reportersroom – to help ensure lasting peace, not just in Ajogbo Akia, but across Ogun State.
Olalekan A. Abudu is a seasoned and dedicated News Journalist at REPORTERS ROOM, with over eight years of experience. He specializes in politics, climate change, health, and education, while also covering security, economic, and judicial issues. Committed to accuracy and balanced reporting, Olalekan exemplifies the principles of public-interest journalism.
