Residents of more than 15 ancestral communities behind a government house have cried out over alleged planned demolition of their abodes and forceful acquisition of the land
Including the Ogunro and Itori Onimogan communities, they are believed to have existed for over 300 years, but now at risk of losing their ancestral homes, proximate to the Abeokuta Golf Club in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Speaking with newsmen, residents said they were shocked by demolition notices allegedly issued by the government despite the matter already being before a court of law.
They shared with journalists on Saturday, at Itori Onimogan, their dilemma and fear of seeing their homes marked for demolition.
For example, the Baale of Ogunro Chief Olakunle Bodunde, wondered why and how they should be ordered to vacate an ancestral land where their forefathers had existed for donkey of years.
“We’ve had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.
“We’ve been served, and the government has been notified, but they’re not showing up in court, and now they’re posting demolition notices on our buildings.”
“We are pleading for help and support from good citizens and stakeholders in Ogun State to come to our aid and prevent the government from forcefully taking our land,” he said.
In the same vein speaking to journalists at Itori Onimogan, the Baale of the community, Chief Oludare Salako, bemoaned the planned demolition of their homestead by the government.
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“We continue to face persistent harassment by the government, as we were served and given three days to evacuate from our houses.
“Where should we go? This is our option after being chased from the town by the demolition of our houses for a road. Let us stay in our ancestral land.
“We are appealing to the government to please leave us and our community alone and let us stay on our land,” he said.
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
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