It was reported that a mild drama occurred at Sangotedo Community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, as suspected land grabbers fled on sighting the convoy of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who stormed the area to stop alleged encroachment on his ‘land’.
The visit of the former president, it was gathered, was a relief to the residents, having been under incessant attacks by a suspected land grabbing syndicate.
Premium Times report that a large part of the land reportedly belonged to the former president although the information could not be verified.
A chief in the community, Adebayo Eniola, told Mr Obasanjo that the alleged influential personality behind the attacks claimed ownership of the land for the last 10 years.
Mr Eniola who received Obasanjo’s entourage in company of other residents said the coming of Mr Obasanjo would douse tension, as well as keep the land grabbers and their sponsor in check.
“The coming has doused tension, as you can see with the large turnout of residents here waiting to see the real owner of this land. Let me quickly tell you that the land was purchased about 40-50 years ago from the original land owners, who incidentally are also relations of Baba (Obasanjo),” he said.
Mr Eniola, who was instructed by Mr Obasanjo to speak with journalists said:
“the acquired areas started from Egan Mopo kekere, Egan Mopo Nla (Akinlade), Ogonbo (Asorobi family) to Toromade (Akinlolu family) sharing boundary with Okun Ajah all between Ibeju Lekki and Eti-osa local governments. The records are there.
“But, when development started spreading towards here (Ibeju-Lekki) and this was just about 10-15 years ago, we started seeing some people bringing buyers, with claim that they are from the powers that be in Lagos Island,” Mr Eniola said.
“To make matters worse, any time they wanted to come and encroach on the land, they will come with large presence of armed policemen, shooting sporadically to scare people. This has been creating fears and tension in the residents. I reported the matter to Baba and he assured that he will personally come. So, I informed everybody, that is why you see this crowd,” Mr Eniola said
Meanwhile, one of the mobile police officers identified as Wale Animasaun while speaking said they (policemen) were drafted by the Area Commander to the area to “forestall break down of law and order.”
