Residents of Olorunda town in the Abeokuta North Local Government area of Ogun State, on Monday, took to the streets in a peaceful protest against alleged persistent encroachment and interference by leaders from Imala town and its affiliated villages.
The protest, marked by chants and placards bearing defiant messages, highlighted a longstanding dispute over land rights and development projects in the region.
Clad in determined expressions and wielding placards with bold inscriptions such as “Stop Disrupting Olorunda’s Growth” and “Government Must Act Now,” the protesters congregated at the local government secretariat, demanding immediate government intervention to safeguard their community’s future.
Engr. Oluwarotimi Olaegbe, Secretary of the Olorunda Descendant Union (ODU), voiced the community’s grievances, decrying what he described as years of intimidation and obstruction orchestrated by Imala leaders.
“For years, we have endured attempts to seize our land, stifle our development initiatives, and thwart crucial projects like the commissioning of our customary court,” Olaegbe proclaimed, addressing a crowd of concerned residents.
The catalyst for the protest was the recent forcible closure of the Grade II Customary Court in Olorunda, scheduled for official opening on February 12, 2025, by the President of the Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice A.O. Femi-Segun.
According to Olaegbe, the closure was led by figures from Keesan village, aligned with Imala, sparking outrage among Olorunda residents who perceive such actions as a systematic attempt to impede their community’s progress.
Recounting a litany of past grievances, protesters cited instances dating back over a decade where Imala leaders allegedly obstructed various development projects.
Incidents included the halting of a police post construction in 2013, interference with the establishment of a Vigilante Group office in 2015, and disruptions to market reopening efforts in 2017, among others.
The protesters, seeking redress and assurance of government support, were met by Hon. Taiwo Egbeyemi, Vice Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, who pledged swift action.
“We understand your concerns,” Egbeyemi reassured the gathering.
“The local government will engage all stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution. We cannot allow disputes like this to escalate and threaten the harmony of our communities.”
Despite assurances from local government officials, Olorunda residents said they remained steadfast in their demand for immediate intervention, emphasizing the potential escalation of tensions if the situation persists unchecked.
“We call on Governor Dapo Abiodun and relevant authorities to intervene decisively,” urged Mr. Akinlade Alaba, a concerned resident, stressing the urgency of the matter.
Efforts to obtain a response from Imala’s leadership were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the local government indicated plans for a high-level stakeholder meeting to address the dispute comprehensively and prevent further unrest.
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