By DELE ALABI, Ota
A growing wave of resentment is sweeping through communities in Ipokia South Local Government Area of Ogun State, as indigenes accuse traditional rulers and influential figures of colluding in an alleged plan to dispossess them of about 5,000 hectares of farmland.
The crisis, rooted in deepening distrust, centres on claims by residents that the land—long used for farming—was secretly earmarked for acquisition and possible transfer to foreign investors, reportedly for a proposed dairy project. Community members insist the move threatens their primary source of livelihood.
The aggrieved indigenes allege that the traditional institution, alongside some prominent individuals, is prioritising personal interests over communal welfare. They further claim that the land in question was purportedly acquired by the state government as far back as 1985, a position now being used to justify the current developments.
Speaking on behalf of affected stakeholders, Abiodun Yusuf of Dahray Empire Limited described the situation as contradictory and suspicious. He noted that unidentified foreign nationals, believed to be Chinese, initially claimed they were in the area to construct Sokoto Road to support oil exploration activities around Tongeji Island.
Yusuf recounted that the visitors first arrived on January 10, 2026, via helicopter, and returned on January 25 with vehicles and a drone for land surveys. Their presence raised concerns among locals, who confronted them and demanded clarification. According to him, the explanation provided was inconsistent and unconvincing.
Tensions escalated when the group returned on February 3 without prior notice. It was during this visit, Yusuf said, that documents indicating a 5,000-hectare land coverage in Ifonyintedo surfaced, revealing what locals believe to be a plan to take over their farmland.
Further suspicion arose when the visitors later appeared alongside the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and the Chairman of Ipokia Local Government. Community members said their inquiries about the land’s acquisition status were met with silence, reinforcing fears of a covert takeover.
The situation reached a boiling point on Friday, March 27, when news of the foreign nationals’ presence triggered protests across more than 15 affected villages, including Atan Ita Kole, Idomogun, Igbo-Atan, Ita-Ege, Modoga, Ilagbe, Iropo, Imule, Kajola, Arose, Saasa Okewo, Ile Agberun/Eyingbo, and Aroromi.
Residents flooded the streets carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We don’t want war on our land” and “Farmers reject the takeover of our land,” condemning what they described as the government’s insensitivity and lack of consultation.
Community representatives, including James Biiro, Oluwole Fayomi, Idowu Abisegan, Adeyanju Ayuba, and Yusuf, stressed that farming remains their only means of survival. They warned that any forceful takeover of the land would devastate livelihoods built over generations.
Meanwhile, legal representatives of Dahray Empire Limited, Messrs Sola Ojutalayo (SAN) & Co., have petitioned the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, over what they termed illegal encroachment and acquisition.
In the petition dated March 11, 2026, the firm stated that its client lawfully occupies portions of the land under a lease agreement with the Ifonyintedo community and has invested over N1 billion in palm oil production and agro-processing infrastructure.
The lawyers expressed concern that survey and mapping activities were carried out without prior notice, consultation, or compensation, allegedly in violation of the Land Use Act and the 1999 Constitution.
They added that the uncertainty surrounding the land has forced the company to suspend operations, leading to financial losses, supply chain disruptions, and job cuts.
While affirming support for government development initiatives, the firm insisted that due process, transparency, and adequate compensation must be followed in any land acquisition affecting existing investments.
At the palace of the Onitoro of Itoro, traditional chiefs confirmed that the land was indeed acquired by the state government in 1985 during the administration of the late military governor, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya. They maintained that efforts had been made to persuade landowners to accept the government’s position, but these attempts were unsuccessful.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Ogun State Government proved abortive, as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, was reportedly attending the All Progressives Congress convention at the time of filing this report.
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