Metro

Ondo Monarch Leads Mass Protest Against Forceful Ejection Of Farmers

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2023

Aged farmers in llua village, Ondo west council area of Ondo state, weekend stage mass protest against the alleged sale of their cocoa plantations and other farmlands by the state government to foreign companies.

The protesters were led by the traditional ruler of Ilua, Oba Olalani Ibidapo.

Displaying placards with various inscriptions, they raised the alarm that the state government had issued them quit notice in all the 20 villages in the area and equally threatened to evacuate them forcefully if they failed to relocate before the end of the year.

Chanting “All we are saying, leave us alone,” the inscriptions on their placards reads, “This is another Slavery”; “We say no to the destruction of our cocoa farms; “No Farmers, No Nation”; “We don’t want to steal, farming is our job”; “Aketi should not sell our lands to Chinese”; “They should leave us here to farm, we have no where to go”; “Cocoa farm is our livelihood, don’t chase us out”; “Cocoa farm is what we live on, don’t sell the lands to China.”

Speaking with newsmen, the monarch, Oba Ibidapo, said: “There were some people who came to our villages and started erecting signposts that the state government has sold our farmlands and villages to Chinese and Indian companies.

“They said government has issued notice that we should quit our farms and villages because the companies wanted to move in and take over our farms and villages.

“We have been here for over 100 years and we are here farming, no other things. I have more than 19 villages under me here, Ilua, Laoso, Adejori, Logunofe, Keseomi, Obadore, Obakele, Ilua 2, Kangidi, Oloruntedo, Abayemisi and Magbaralewon just to mention a few.

“We heard suddenly that we should move out unexpectedly. Where are we going to go. Look at our people, no work. We have graduates among us here, but since there’s no job, they ventured into farming.

“We are protesting against this policy and we also appeal to our Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to please consider our situation here.

“We are large communities and that’s why state government itself provided health centres, schools and polling units for us here.

“We voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last general elections. We are more than 50,000 in terms of population.

“But I want government to take note that If they insist on ejecting us, there would be problem. Many of the victims would turn to criminals.

“Look at youths working on the farm, government should be happy about this development. Look at the crowd.”

The Chairman of Youths of Laje community, Laoso District, Ondo West, Akinbami Philip said: “We are begging our governor to rescind this policy and order.

“We have graduates who have farms here, we want the government to leave us so that we would continue working on our farms. This is where we feed our families.

“Government asked us to pay money and we are faithful to it. Every year, government did give us payment advice, sometimes N3 million and we did pay.

“But now, they no longer give us payment advice. The last time we paid to the government coffers was in 2021 because they don’t give us payment advice again.

“What we think is that the government wants to sell these lands totally. This would make us suffer. We have started seeing white men coming to the land, we are against this policy.”

Another community leader, Prince Francis Adewole, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help them prevail on Governor Akeredolu to allow them continue working on their cocoa and plantain farms.

“We are begging President Tinubu also to help us appeal to Governor Akeredolu to give us a chance to enjoy what we have laboured for.

“We have been here for over 100 years, we have lots of cocoa plantations, plantain farms, kolanuts farms and other crops. We are many here and our only occupation is farming.”

One of the farmers, a graduate of Physics, Ademola Ajibola, told newsmen that he decided to venture into farming when he couldn’t get a job in the city.

Ajibola said: “We are highly surprised by the state government’s action against us. We have been here for many years, I am a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, but no job.

“Yet I decided to venture into cocoa farming. We do pay to the government our dues till 2021 when we saw some people erecting signpost on our farms.

” They said they were given the order to come and destroy our cocoa and other plantations. Where do we go from here?

“We have villages all around here, no hideout for bandits or criminals. We are protesting because the government would not let us breathe.

“Food security is our watchword here, we sell foods to the people in town. If we are being evacuated from here, I don’t know what might be the result.

“But if this policy of leaving here is being carried out, there would be social implications, there would be disaster.”

A community leader, Mrs. Faith Akinduro, lamented that instead of being encouraged by the state government for going into farming, the government allegedly wanted to eject them from their farmlands.

Akinduro said: “Sometimes last year, we were given notice that some people were being arrested here, so we should leave this place. They are ready to destroy all our properties.

“We are not criminals here, we are farmers, we should be encouraged instead of this. We do pay our dues. When it is election period, they do come here and we do vote for them. Why are they claiming that people are not here?

“It is a pity, I don’t have anywhere to go, we depend on farm work here, no other work for me. Where do you want over 50,000 people to go? We are doing fine here, they should look into the situation, because if not, we women would carry guns and turn to criminals.”

Contacted to comment on the alleged ejection of the farmers, the Senior Special Assistant (Agric & Agribusiness) to the governor, Pastor Akin Olotu, denied the allegations.

Olotu, said that state government didn’t issue such quit notice and sale of the farmers farms to anyone or foreign firm.

VANGUARD

Metro

PICTORIAL: Lagos Court Jails Nine Chinese For Cybercrimes

Published

11 hours ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

Justice D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one-year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, following their arrest in a major sting operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to a statement on Tuesday via X by the EFCC, the convicts, identified as LI Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang, and Du Ji Feng, were part of a syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects apprehended on December 19, 2024.

The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 charged the nine individuals in February 2025 with one count separate charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The charge stated, “That you, LI Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang and Du Ji Feng, sometime in December, 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.”

Initially pleading “not guilty,” the defendants reversed their pleas to “guilty” during a court session on June 5, 2025.

Nnaemeka Omewa, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, a request supported by the defence counsel.

Justice Osiagor subsequently sentenced each defendant to one year in prison, effective from their arrest date of December 10, 2025, and imposed a fine of N1,000,000 on each.

The court further ordered that the convicts be repatriated to their country of origin within seven days of completing their sentences, as directed to the Comptroller General of Immigration.

Additionally, mobile phones, computers, laptops, and routers seized during the EFCC’s “Eagle Flush Operation” were forfeited to the Federal Government.

Metro

Gunmen Kill Man, Burn Houses In Kwara

Published

20 hours ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

Gunmen believed to be members of ‘Mahmuda’ group on Sunday attacked Karongi town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara state, killed one person and burnt many houses in the community.

The bandits who invaded the town early in the morning reportedly killed a resident before setting some houses ablaze.

According to The PUNCH, the gunmen took advantage of the absence of the vigilantes in the community who had travelled to attend a workshop while others had travelled out to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir outside the community.

It was further gathered that the gunmen who had a field day in the community between 6am and 11am were however dislodged by the combined team of soldiers and vigilantes mobilised from the adjoining settlements in the area.

Though the police feigned ignorance of Sunday’s attack in Karongi, the Nigerian Army confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

The Emir of Yashikira Emirate in Baruten Local Government Area, Alhaji Umoru Sariki, also confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.

The Emir who spoke in a telephone conversation on Sunday night said one person was killed during the attack while many houses were burnt.

Umoru said, “Yes, the bandits from Mahmuda group struck at about 6 am on Sunday. They attacked Karongi town in my Emirate. They killed one person and burnt many houses in the community.

“They took advantage of the absence of the vigilantes who had travelled for Sallah while some had also gone for training. They invaded the town for hours, from 6 am to 11 am. We have to go to the surrounding communities in the Emirate to mobilise local vigilantes who succeeded to chase them away at about 11o’clock.”

The Emir said that “the soldiers were far away adding, that the army was stationed in Chikanda which is far away from the community.”

When contacted earlier, the Police Public Relations Office in Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said she was not aware of the attack.

She said, “I’m not aware of this incident. I will do my findings and get back to you.”

The Public Relations Officer of the 22 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Sobi, Ilorin, Lt. Stephen Nwankwo, however, confirmed the attack on Monday.

He said, “Yes, the incident happened. I’m aware. One of the vigilantes was killed while some makeshift houses were set ablaze by the gunmen. The soldiers were alerted about the incident and they went to the village. The person who was killed was one of the vigilantes who escorted the soldiers to the village.

“The bandits ran away on sighting the soldiers and escaped from the area”, the Army spokesperson said.

Metro

Tension Brews As Gov Bago Pardons 11 Murder Convicts

Published

21 hours ago

June 10, 2025

Editor

The Gaba community in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State are spoiling for war with her sister community, Amfani, also in Lavun LGA, following a state pardon granted to 11 deathroll convicts.

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago in what has been described as a judicial tsunami, granted an unconditional pardon to 11 Amfani sons who were sentenced to death by a competent court of law after they were found guilty of killing seven sons of Gaba community.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, made the pardon decision known via a statement which he made available to Arewa The PUNCH titled: “Governor Bago grants state pardon to 11 convicts.”

The statement which read in parts revealed that the “Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has granted unconditional state pardon to 11 convicted persons who were sentenced to death.

“The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister. Nasiru Mu’azu disclosed this during a press briefing at the Government House, Minna.

“He explained that the convicts were involved in a communal clash between Gaba and Amfani communities of Lavun Local Government Area of the state, which led to the loss of lives and property.

“The Commissioner revealed that the state pardon is in exercise of the constitutional powers of the governor following a written request which was further reviewed between the governor and the state Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

“He said the State pardon is also part of the reconciliatory efforts to ensure lasting peace between both communities, adding that several meetings have been held and all issues have been resolved.

“Answering questions from the media practitioners on the fate of others with similar issues, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice advised such communities or individuals with similar issues to come up with a written request for consideration.

“He said the Instrument of Pardon was signed on the 28th of May 2025 and has been gazetted.

“Those granted state pardon are: Mohammed Mohammed, Nana Alhaji Sheshi, Isah Baba Nmadu, Mohammed Mohammed Ndabida, Abubakar Baba Salihu, Baba Mohammed Shaba, Adamu Mohammed Babaminin, Haruna Mohammed, Isah Mohammed, Alhaji Inuwa, Ibrahim Mohammed and Mohammed Isah,” Ibrahim stated.

However, shortly after the decision to grant the state pardon to the convicts was announced, all hell was let loose in the Gaba community as the youths took to the streets to protest the governor’s action, saying that the governor had set the stage for more bloodbath.

According to the chairman of the Gaba Development Association, Paul Gana, it took the intervention of elders in the community to dissuade the youths from taking the law into their hands.

In an open letter to the Niger State Governor signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Gaba Development Association, Isah Baba reminded the governor that the prerogative of mercy in the Nigerian constitution is not to be misused to undermine the sanctity of the Judiciary.

“We, the people of Gaba in Lavun Local Goverment, have decided to use this medium to air our grievances and not keep silent over the exercise of state pardon granted to convicted murderers of our kinsmen.

“Your Excellency, Farmer Governor, Umaru Bago, the murder of seven (7) innocent, unarmed individuals from Gaba community whose corpses were severely mutilated and body parts carted away by the convicted murderers is considered to be the most heinous crime that ever happend in the history of NUPE people.

“It took the intervention of community elders and well-meaning Nigerlites to stop a retaliation from Gaba youths and allow justice to run its course through the legal process. Those found guilty by court were meant to face the full weight of justice. But with the steps you were ill adviced to take today, we fear that your good name would bedraggedd in the mud.

“Your Excellency, the powers of prerogative of mercy as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is intended to serve as tool for justice and compensation in exceptional circumstances and not to be misused to undermine the sanctity of the Judiciary.

“Granting pardon to the eleven persons convicted for the offence of murder devalues the lives of the victims, disrespect their families, and erodes public confidence in the administration of state affairs through your leadership.

“This action will earn you the reputation of being the first governor in the history of Niger State to weaponise the power of state pardon to subvert and circumvent justice. It will go down in the history of Niger State as a reference point that in your tenure as governor, you created a backdoor escape for convicted murderers and criminals.

“It will also appear laughable your stance on the criminal activities in Minna that made your government to impose cufew on the operations of motorcycles and tricycles recently.

“More worrisome is the fact that it will undermine the sanctity of the judiciary and the painstaking process by which conviction was secured. It will dampen the morale of law enforcement agencies who investigated the case. It will trample on the rights and memories of the victims and their families, encourage Nigerlites to seek alternatives to get justice, and just maybe ignite another round of loss of lives and properties.

“This ill adviced action is sending a dangerous message that weighty crimes such as taking a human life can be absolved by the process of political or executive discretion.

“We need not remind you, Your Excellency, that your most important duty is to secure the lives and property of all Nigerlites and to ensure their well-being.

“In this instance, we are afraid to state that the State failed to secure the lives of the victims and now failed to give justice to them.

“Mr. Governor Sir, we call on you to reconsider this pardon, uphold the sanctity of the judicial process, and ensure that justice is not sacrificed on the altar of political convenience or vested interest,” Baba declared in the terse statement.
(PUNCH)