Worried by violent attacks by persons identified as land grabbers, some community heads in Lamodi town in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the interest of peace and public safety.
Baale of Lamodi Alhaji Hassan Modiu Olobi told The Nation that said Lamodi has always been an abode of peace and stability but lamented the nefarious activities of some elements, which may jeopardise that peace if not checked.The traditional ruler, who was reacting to news making the rounds that members of the community were land grabbers, said the news was not only unsubstantiated but mere blatant lies made up to smear the image of the community by some disgruntled elements opposed to his reign.
Expatiating, he said although his emergence was in line with the extant tradition and customs, there was a tussle for the stool by one of the ruling houses, leading to the intervention of the Epe Local Government Area, including the Council of Chiefs and Obas under the authority of the Oloja of Epe Oba Kamorudeen Animashahun.
“After the matter was resolved, we set machinery in motion to develop our land assets accordingly and engaged the services of a surveyor to assist. But we got the shock of our lives as we discovered that most of the landed property belonging to the community had been sold illegally by some unscrupulous persons working in league with certain persons within and around the adjoining towns.”
He said local intelligence revealed that the crime was perpetrated by certain persons, who forcefully took possession and illegally sold off over 72 hectares of land without permission from any quarters.
Olisa of Lamodi, Ismaila Olokodana, corroborated the baale’s claim, saying the threat of violence against the community was the handiwork of detractors out to cause trouble where there is none.
The monarch told The Nation that the matter has since been reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), adding that the individuals involved have been on the run.