Peasant farmers from the government forest reserves in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday protested alleged harassment and assaults on their farms.
The farmers accused Mr Damilola Olowoniyi, described as a government-backed agent, of intimidation, assault and disrupting their access to farms.
The Nation reports that armed with placards, the protesting farmers marched to the Governor’s Office, demanding urgent intervention.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Adesoji Awotale said despite being legally allocated portions of the forest reserve by the state government, the farmers had been subjected to continuous harassment.
Awotale said the conflict escalated after the government sold about 10,000 hectares in the OA3A section of Oluwa Forest Reserve to a private investor, SAO.
He said the development prompted protests from long-time occupants, who had cultivated the land for over two decades with cash crops.
He added that following the protests, the government ceded 2,000 hectares to three affected communities, including Irore Ajelanwa, which received 261 hectares backed by verified government documents.
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Awotale said the farmers had been paying annual dues ranging from N2 million to N3 million and were preparing to renew payments before the alleged attacks escalated.
“We have been paying our annual dues in millions and were even planning to pay this year’s dues before December 15. But we feel we cannot continue to be oppressed, threatened and marginalised on the small piece of land we occupy,” he said.
He said complaints had been sent to the Commissioner of Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police and even the Inspector-General of Police, but they had yielded no action.
“We went to the National Assembly too to seek intervention, but a scheduled meeting did not hold due to the absence of a key representative. We are now arranging for another meeting,” Awotale said.
He lamented that many elderly farmers, aged between 60 and 80, had abandoned their farms for fear of attacks, describing the situation as inhumane and economically-devastating for families who depended on the crops for survival.
Addressing the protesters, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Olaleye Akinola, assured them that the government had acknowledged their grievances.
He said the government had invited Olowoniyi to a meeting to address the issues and grievances of the farmers.
“We have convened a meeting with Olowoniyi holding tomorrow, where we will all sit together with representatives from your side. I can assure you that the government will do something about it,” he said.
Efforts to reach Olowoniyi for his reaction proved abortive, as his line was not connecting at press time.
