Ikenne, Ogun State – In a bold sting operation, the Ogun State Task Force on Anti-Land Grabbing and Illegalities has dismantled a notorious cartel of land grabbers aided by some rogue police officers in Lasademo Area of Ikenne Local Government of the State.
The task force, acting on intelligence, raided the location where the land grabbers, backed by heavily armed mobile police officers who were not in uniform and concealed their identity, were attempting to forcibly take over land belonging to the Lasademo family.
Sources indicate that the mobile officers allegedly provided cover for suspected land grabbers seeking to unlawfully survey Lasademo land at Ikenne, tying it to a judgment obtained from the High Court of Justice, Sagamu Judicial Division of Ogun State with file suit number M/57/2013 by the Ajenise Village in Sagamu, which the suspected land grabbers allegedly intend to exploit in order to fraudulently claim ownership of the land in question.
In their haste to escape the long arm of the law, the perpetrators abandoned a white Toyota Siena bus, two motorcycles, four mobile phones, and other dangerous weapons at the scene upon the arrival of the task force while two of the cops threatened to kill original landowners and community residents who assisted the task force.
Reacting, a resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for establishing the task force, saying it has brought relief to the community and restoring sanity in the real estate sector.
“We are grateful to the governor for setting up this task force. They have been a game-changer since they came on board in our fight against land grabbers across the State and our quest in initiating sanity in the real estate sector. We urge them to continue their good work until land grabbing is totally eradicated and rightful owners interests are adequately protected in the State,” the resident said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd had earlier warned that serving Police Officers who are found involved in civil matters such as land, rent, and marital disputations would be sanctioned and their promotions suspended. Despite this warning, approximately twelve mobile police officers were assigned to the area with instructions to engage in land issues and provide protection for land grabbers during their unlawful activities.
“We call on the police highest authority to investigate the failure and abuse of office by those officers irrespective of the cadre, as their actions and intension are in clear flouting of the Commission’s warning which directed that police officers should stay clear of civil matters and allow Civil courts to do their duties”, the resident appealed.
Recall that the task force’s operation is part of the State government’s efforts to curb land grabbing and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights.
