The Oluwo of Iwoland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called on the Gboyega Oyetola-led government of Osun State to criminalize land grabbing to protect the heritage landed properties of the people.
Oba Akanbi averred the incessant spate of land grabbing in the state should be legislatively addressed to protect heritage landed assets of the masses.
Berating those involved land grabbing, the Oluwo called on the Osun State government to enact strict penalties against the act.
The Oluwo equally charged the Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye-led Osun State House of Assembly to cooperate with Governor Oyetola, as done in Lagos State.
Expressing the fear that land grabbing may lead to intra- and inter-communal war, Oba Akanbi appealed to concerned authorities to nip such in the bud.
In a statement by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oluwo said, “I appeal to the government of Osun State under Governor Gboyega Oyetola to make a law that will dictate strict punishment for land grabbers. The reportage cases of land grabbing in the state is disturbing and call for legislative and judicial attentions from the state government.
“Land grabbing is a security issue in Osun State. It is alarming and demands an urgent attention from the state government to avoid breach of the peace. The government should should further enquire from the AIG zone II, the CP, Area Commands and DPOs. Land grabbing is an urgent security issue. I charge the responsible government of Osun State to expedite action in enacting the law to protect the virtues of the state and the masses who suffered unjustly in the hands of land grabbers
“The law is effective in Lagos and Oyo states. The interest of land and settlers must be protected at all cost. I enjoin your administration to safe individual landed heritage through an executive/legislative enactment.
“Many less privileged, who were original owner of land were cheated. The reports are disturbing. Family lands inherited and kept for years are unjustly grabbed with the aid of influential individual.
“As an holistic government, I’ve the trust in the government of Oyetola to enact a law against such an illicit act to protect the interest of the less privileged who originally inherited landed property.
“I equally appeal to the Osun State House of Assembly, led by Hon. Owoeye to cooperate with the governor in promoting land grabbing bill. It is needed as a government that holds everyone in esteem.”
