...Police arrests perpetrators
The Ayadi of Ore Kingdom Chief Tope Ijiniga, has strongly denied allegations of land grabbing and intimidation in Olowo village of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, describing the claims as false, misleading, and motivated by ulterior interests, following the destruction of farmlands in the affected community by unscrupulous elements
Responding to a viral video circulating on social media and statements by some group of people,accusing him of land grabbing and crop destruction, Chief Ijiniga maintained that he has never forcefully taken land belonging to any individual or community.
According to him, all lands in Olowo have identifiable tenants and any transaction involving land is conducted through due process.
“I do not collect land ,” Ijiniga said. “Every land in Olowo belongs to Orunsero family and I belongs to the family. I do not take advantage of my position as a traditional chief to take what does not belong to me.”
The traditional chief stated that the allegations being circulated are unfounded and noted that several of the issues raised are already before competent courts for determination.
“If anyone believes I have wronged them, the court is there,” he said. “That is the proper place to resolve land disputes, not the media.”
Chief Ijiniga further explained that the disputed land is part of his ancestral heritage.
He added that his efforts in the area were driven by a desire to revive and promote agricultural development, and create economic opportunities.
According to him, farmers from Oyo, Osun, Kwara, and other neighbouring states came to cultivate cocoa, kola nut, and oil palm plantations on the land.
The Ayadi dismissed suggestions that his activities amounted to land grabbing, insisting that the land has long been associated with his family and that no individual or community was displaced.
He expressed confidence that the judicial process would ultimately clarify the issues and expose what he described as false allegations against him.
Meanwhile, according to sources within Olowo community, tenants cultivating on Orunsero family land petitioned the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged destruction of farmland, a development that reportedly led to the arrest of the suspected perpetrators
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