"We Will Not Be Intimidated!" – Olorunda Residents Resist Imala’s Land Claims

...Demand Government Intervention

Residents of Olorunda in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the local government secretariat, demanding urgent government intervention over what they described as persistent interference and encroachment by leaders of Imala town.

The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Olorunda Belongs to Us,” “Stop Imala’s Land Grab,” “Government Must Act Now,” and “Our Heritage, Our Right,” expressed frustration over what they called a systematic attempt to undermine their community’s autonomy and development.

Leading the protest, Engr. Oluwarotimi Olaegbe, Secretary of Olorunda Descendant Union (ODU), stated that the people of Olorunda had endured years of alleged land encroachment, disruption of development projects, and deliberate obstruction of community initiatives. 

He said the situation had reached a crisis point following the forceful lock-up of the Grade II Customary Court in Olorunda, a facility scheduled for commissioning on February 12, 2025, by the President of the Ogun State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice A.O. Femi-Segun.

Olaegbe accused Hon. Ayoola Oluajo and individuals from Keesan village, which aligns with Imala, of leading efforts to prevent the commissioning of the customary court. 

He emphasized that this was not an isolated incident but part of a larger plan to challenge Olorunda’s control over its land.

The protesters recounted several incidents where Imala’s leadership allegedly disrupted major developments in Olorunda. In 2013, an attempt to establish a police post approved by the Commissioner of Police was blocked. In 2015, plans to create a Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) office, approved by the Ogun State So Safe Corps Commander, were halted. In 2017, the reopening of the Olorunda market, cleared by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, was stopped. 

In 2019, the Ogun State Civil Defence Commandant’s commissioning of a Civil Defence office in the town was disrupted. In 2021, the Olorunda Community Development Association’s reconstruction of the customary court building was obstructed.

According to Olaegbe, these actions were a deliberate strategy to suppress Olorunda’s growth and assert control over the community’s affairs. 

He warned that continued interference by Imala could escalate tensions, urging the government to step in before the situation worsens.

At the local government secretariat, the protesters were received by Hon. Taiwo Egbeyemi, Vice Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, who assured them that the government was aware of their grievances and was working toward a resolution. 

He acknowledged the urgency of the matter and emphasized that the government would not allow any situation that could lead to communal unrest.

“We understand your frustrations, and I can assure you that the local government will not fold its arms while issues like this threaten the peace of our communities. We will look into this matter carefully and ensure that justice is served,” Egbeyemi stated.

He urged the protesters to remain peaceful, revealing that the local government was planning a stakeholder meeting where representatives from Olorunda, Imala, and other affected villages would meet to discuss a lasting resolution.

Despite these assurances, some residents remained skeptical, insisting that the government must act swiftly to prevent further encroachment. Pa Sola Adebanjo, an elder in the community, expressed concern that Olorunda was being deliberately targeted. 

“We are not just fighting for today; we are fighting for our future generations. If we do not stand our ground now, our children will wake up one day to find that Olorunda no longer exists,” he said.