The rising spate of landgrabbers invasion in Etegbin community, a riverine area in Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA),has made residents staged a protest to plead for the Lagos State government’s intervention.
The said residents raising various placards bearing inscriptions, that state in clear terms the situation of things in their community, came in their numbers to plead with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the lawmakers to rescue them from needless harassments.
Inscriptions on some of the placards read: “ Lagos State House of Assembly save Etegbin Community our means of livelihood destroyed by landgrabbers,Kaka & hoodlums.
“LASG Please Provide Security Operatives for Etegbin Community.
“The Land Matters ending in Appeal Court. The AIG zone II sent security operatives with Kaka and Hoodlums to take possession of Etegbin community. “
The alleged harassment was said to have been influenced by one Muraina Azeez an indigene who hire Moruf Owonla, aka Koko, to disrupt the peace of their community.
Their spokesperson, Bolaji Ayepe, said: “We are here to register our displeasure about the activities of a land grabber, Moroof Owonla, who was hired by Alhaji Muraina Azeez, an indigene, to cause mayhem in our community.
There has been a litigation within the Adeogun Orutan family which Azeez belongs to, and which he claims to have won.
“Now he is claiming the whole community belongs to him because, according to him, his father willed the entire land to him being the only son.
“The chiefs and king have invited him twice but he declined. There was also a court sitting last Wednesday and the chiefs invited him but Azeez didn’t show up.But, on Friday, he invaded the community with armed policemen and hoodlums, destroyed properties, burnt the community market and boats used for transportation to other communities.
“Our people have been displaced from their homes, some of our youths were arrested and have since been in custody.
The hoodlums also threatened to return on Sunday for more attacks.
“This is a save our soul protest for the government to come to our rescue.
We know there is a law against land grabbing so we beg Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the lawmakers to do the needful.”
Bisi Yusuff, who represents Alimosho I, addressed the protesters commending their peaceful comportment promising that the house would intervene to ensure justice is served.
“We would investigate your allegations, invite the other party to form a balanced opinion. We would also deliver your petition to the speaker after now. We can assure you we would be just and fair in handling the issue.
“Lagos has laws and we will work with the law to bring justice to this matter.”