Indigenes of Atijere community, Ilaje local government area of Ondo State on Wednesday protested against people of Imakun community in Ogun State for allegedly taking over their land.
The protesters, who stormed the state Governor’s office in Akure, the state capital, also faulted a “Bromage Report of 1949”, which it said was rejected by the state delegation, who participated in the meeting.
They described it as a ploy to cede part of Ilaje land, including Atijere to Ogun state.
They carried placards with different inscriptions such as “Ilaje nation rejects the infamous Bromage report which is a ploy to cede our land to Ogun State” “Ogun state targets Ilaje land because of oil minerals and bitumen deposits” “we call on Ondo state government to urgently deploy security men to Atijere to protect lives and property”, among others.
The aggrieved Atijere indigenes submitted a copy of their protest letter to Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi.
In the said letter signed by Coordinator, Seun Akala and Secretary, Debo Ikuomola, they alleged that members of Imakun community invaded their community on November 29 and 30, encroached on their land and vandalized the traditional building in the community.
They said the invaders numbering about hundred, armed to the teeth also unleashed terror on their residents, adding that since then peace had eluded the land.
The protesters pointed out that “Ilaje Nation under the British administration was made part of Lagos colony from 1861 to 1914.
“The amalgamation of the southern and northern protectorate of Nigeria in 1914 brought all Ilaje under the rule of Ondo province. As at 1919, River Ufara which runs through Imakun into River Oluwa Served as the natural demarcating feature/boundary between Ilaje land (Mahin) and Ijebu land.
“In 1928, Divisions were created by colonial masters for administrative convenience. Consequently, Ilaje Nation including Atijere land was brought under the administrative rule of Okitipupa Division for several decades under the administrative rule of Okitipupa Division for several decades”, they stated.
Ademujimi said the governor was aware of their plight, promising that the government would deploy security personnel to the land.
He also said the government had directed the contractor handling Atijere and Oboto road construction to resume work by next year.
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