Tension escalated in Ibese, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, as scores of residents stormed the streets in a peaceful protest against what they called a “coordinated and politically protected” attempt to forcefully reassign their ancestral land to neighbouring Ilaro.
Bearing placards with inscriptions such as “Stop False Territorial Claims,” “Ibese United Against Encroachment,” “Ilaro Should Respect Boundaries,” and “Frontier FM Cannot Rewrite History,” the protesters marched through major routes, insisting they would resist any attempt to “erase Ibese from the map.”
Speaking during the protest, Fadairo Adedotun, one of the community’s leading voices, accused powerful actors of deploying security operatives to intimidate residents and suppress legitimate dissent.
According to him, “We have seen uniformed men; police, Amotekun, stationed around Frontier Hotel just to stop our people from protesting. Who authorised that? Why are they afraid of peaceful protesters if they know they are telling the truth?”
He alleged that the owner of Frontier Hotel, described as a politically connected figure, has been using influence and force to advance a subtle land-grabbing agenda.
The crisis, he added, escalated with the establishment of Frontier Radio 102.9 FM, which the community insists sits squarely on Ibese land yet advertises itself as being located in Ilaro.
Adedotun said the community views the radio station’s location claims as “a deliberate attempt to alter geographical records.”
“A radio station built on Ibese land cannot suddenly become Ilaro simply because some people are trying to expand their influence. That is fraudulent, provocative, and unacceptable,” he said.
Residents accused the promoters of the radio station of participating in a broader plot allegedly backed by traditional rulers and politicians.
At the centre of the dispute is the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, whom protesters accused of consistently writing to authorities claiming ownership of UAMC Eleja Primary School, located in Ibese.
“Those letters from the Olu of Ilaro are dangerous because they attempt to rewrite history. Ibese has never shared a direct boundary with Ilaro. It is Ijanna that borders Ilaro—not Ibese,” Adedotun noted.
Residents accused unnamed political office holders of backing the alleged encroachment. Some protesters openly mentioned Senator Olamilekan Adeola, alleging he provided political cover for the disputed territorial claims.
“We want an investigation. If any politician is involved, let the truth come out. Our land is not for sale,” another protester shouted.
Residents also linked the sudden stoppage of an ongoing government road project in the disputed area to the boundary crisis, describing it as an attempt to pressure Ibese into conceding land.
“Why did the construction stop immediately the crisis started? Someone is trying to use government projects to force our hand,” Adedotun alleged.
The community said it holds historical documents, land maps, traditional records, and administrative files proving the true boundary lines.
A signed position paper made available to journalists states: “Ibese shares boundary only with Ijanna. At no time in our recorded history has Ibese ever been a boundary neighbour with Ilaro.”
Residents vowed to make all documents available to investigators and the press.
The community called on Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Boundary Commission, security agencies, and relevant ministries to immediately intervene and stop what they described as a “territorial rebranding campaign.”
“This is not just land. This is identity. This is history. It is our responsibility to protect it,” Adedotun said.
He warned that failure to act may worsen tensions.
“We are peaceful people. We respect authority. But we cannot watch silently while our ancestral identity is being erased. If the government does not act now, the situation may escalate beyond what anyone wants.”
The protesters insisted that no amount of intimidation, political influence, or media manipulation will force them to relinquish what they described as duly inherited land.
“Ibese is not annexed territory. We are not under any kingdom except our own. Nobody can rename our lands or reallocate them,” a visibly agitated youth leader said.
They vowed to continue their peaceful resistance until the alleged encroachment is stopped and all actors involved are sanctioned.
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