Human rights activists, under the platform of the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR), have urged Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and security agents to curb menace of land grabbers across Lagos State.
The activists, who highlighted brewing violence and killing by land grabbers in Ojomu Communities (Ajiranland) in Eti Osa Local Government, said that the state government must not remain quiet after calls by rights activists.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos, Mr Alex Omotehinse, the President of CHSR, called for swift intervention to stop incessant harassment, criminal trespass and violent activities by land grabbers.
Omotehinse said that the security of life and property as well as welfare of the people must be the priority of all government.
According to him, the land grabbers have continued to threaten the community and its traditional institution, while killing is allegedly going on.
He said that the government must act fast in view of the impending danger the menace portends for communal peace and sustainable development in Nigerians epicentre of commerce and economic activities.
“We cannot over-emphasise the peculiar and strategic position of Lagos State in the development and continued peaceful co-existence of Nigeria.
“We have been inundated with reports relating to recalcitrance of the main actors in crisis in the Ojomu community; including the unfortunate murder of a youth leader, one Sheriff Salami at Moba town, adjacent to AJIRAN.
“The late Sheriff Salami was said to have been gruesomely murdered in broad daylight on April 18 over his firm opposition to the activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community,” Omotehinse said.
The activist, who called on Lagos State government and the Police to probe the death of Salami, demanded justice for the deceased, who he said, left behind three daughters and an aged mother.
According to him, following the CHSR’s news conference on April 18 on land grabbers, the group CHSR has received scores of telephone calls and representations from victims of land grabbing activities in Lagos State.
The activist explained that most victims were disenchanted as well as frustrated by the seemingly lack of commitment of the government to addressing the challenge headlong in spite of the establishment and operation of a Task Force against Land Grabbers.
He said that CHSR also was worried that land grabbers were becoming more entrenched than hitherto imagined, in spite of a Task Force established to nip the menace in the bud.
The president said: “CHSR therefore wishes to demand priority attention from the Lagos State Government with the view to making all relevant agencies; particularly the Task Force on Land Grabbing more responsive to their mandate.
“CHSR is however more concerned that most of the land being forcibly confiscated by these land grabbers are legally and validly documented by the original owners most of whom are in possession of genuine Deed of Assignment and with full authorisation of the relevant families from whom the lands were purchased.”
Omotehinse said that CHSR was however encouraged by the bold step taken by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu against land grabbing activities in Ajiran Land and other communities in the Lekki axis of Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
According to him, the CHSR is deeply concerned about the prevailing ugly situation in Ojomu community ” which evidently has undermined the legitimate traditional institution in Ajiran land,
He said that the situation had led to flagrant dispossession and confiscation of lands legitimately purchased and validly documented by innocent individuals who have been wantonly victimised by land grabbers.
“We are therefore calling on other traditional rulers under the platform of Lagos State Council of Traditional Rulers to rise in unison to denounce the activities of land grabbers in Lagos State.
“We wish to see concrete steps being taken as a matter of urgency by the Lagos State Government towards addressing the menace of land grabbers in the state.
“We wish to therefore see Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu take decisive step, without further delay, to reaffirm the authorities of Oba of AJIRAN Land as the custodians of culture and heritage of the community as vested under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law of 1981.
“We are convinced intervention of Lagos State Government in this regard is an immediate important step in tackling the menace of land grabbers in Ojomu communities,” he said.
He urged the government to protect legitimate authority of traditional institution in Ajiran land against further reckless insubordination as well intimidation and harassment.
“Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu should give immediate directives to relevant agencies; particularly the Task Force on Land Grabbing with the view to putting an end to illegal activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community and other affected communities in Lagos State,” he said.
