Residents of New Felele, Soka and environs, in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, have sent a ‘save our soul’ to the state government over the issue of security of life and property in the area.
In a peaceful protest, the residents, led by the Chairman of Zone 10 in the area, Chief Babajide Olugbenga, to Tribune House, Imalefalafia, Ibadan, on Thursday, said some people are threatening to take over their property on the land legally acquired about 21 years ago.
Speaking on their behalf, Olugbenga said they are law-abiding citizens of the state, adding that they did not want to be involved in any act capable of disrupting the peace existing in the state.
He said: “We are calling on the state government, Oyo State House of Assembly and other well-meaning Nigerians to rescue us from the family allegedly claiming to be the owner of the land.”
Olugbenga further disclosed that the people have concluded arrangement to demolish their buildings and other properties on the land come next week Wednesday.
“We are appealing to the state House of Assembly, Oyo State Commissioner of Police, the State Security Services (SSS), the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sanyo, Area Command, Iyaganku, among others to assist us in order not to disrupt the peace enjoyed by the people of Oyo State,” Olugbenga said.
Also speaking, the President- General of the area, Mr Omotayo Runsewe, said: “We are law-abiding citizens and that is why we are in Tribune House to lodge our grievances. We don’t want anything that will jeopardise the peace existing in Ibadan land. We are calling on Ibadan elders to come to our aid, because if these people succeeded in their plan, over 1,000 residents would be rendered useless.
“The state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi should help us, and we are asking for his support so that we will not be rendered homeless.