Ido Ayegunle Community Cries Out Over Alleged Intimidation in Land Dispute

Ido Ayegunle Community Cries Out Over Alleged Intimidation in Land Dispute

The leadership of Ido Ayegunle, a quiet community in Osun State, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police to ensure a fair and impartial investigation into an alleged case of forceful land entry and malicious damage.

In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of Ido Ayegunle Descendants Union, Pastor Paul Alabi, and the community’s spokesperson, Mr. Busuyi Ibironke, the residents expressed concern over what they described as an attempt to use the police to interfere in an already sensitive land dispute.

The statement, made available to journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, emphasized that the matter is already receiving attention from the Osun State Government through a specially inaugurated committee and should be resolved through a court of competent jurisdiction.

"This is not a matter for police intervention," the community said. "The state government is already handling the land issue, and any further action should be determined legally, not through intimidation or false allegations."

The recent tension followed a visit by officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to Ido Ayegunle, acting on a petition reportedly filed by a man identified as Barrister Idowu from Esa-Oke. He claimed that timber on the disputed land had been unlawfully cut and properties destroyed.

However, residents of Ido Ayegunle explained to the police that the logging was carried out by a man known as Ayo, also called “Kugbe,” who is a native of Esa-Oke. The situation escalated when the officers attempted to visit the location, only for over 40 suspected thugs—allegedly mobilized by the petitioner—to suddenly emerge from hiding in the surrounding bush.

Eyewitnesses said the atmosphere became tense, forcing the officers to call off their investigation and return to Osogbo in order to avoid a potential crisis.

“We were cooperating with the police when suddenly, a mob emerged from the bush. The officers were visibly angered and said they could not risk a breakdown of order,” one community member recounted.

The Ido Ayegunle leadership also rejected claims that Mr. Ibironke was responsible for cutting down the tree, calling it a deliberate attempt to silence community voices and twist the facts.

“We will not be intimidated,” Pastor Alabi insisted. “Our rights must be protected, and we expect the police to act without fear or favor.”

The community is calling for a peaceful, lawful resolution and has urged authorities to investigate the role of all parties involved without bias.

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