By Olufemi Lawson
In what many have described as a landmark move to sanitize the land administration system and restore confidence in property rights, the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has declared a firm and radical war against the long-standing menace of land grabbing and related crimes. Yesterday, in Akure, the Governor inaugurated the State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing, marking a new era of determined action aimed at protecting citizens, communities, corporate organizations, and government interests from the criminal enterprise of land predators.
At the helm of this task force is the fiery and widely respected Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, whose reputation as a human rights advocate and legal reformer signals the seriousness and urgency of the mission. The composition of the Task Force reflects the administration’s robust and multidimensional approach to the problem, bringing together legal, security, planning, community, and civil society actors in an unprecedented coalition against one of the most troubling forms of organized criminality in the Southwest region.
Popularly known as “Omo Onile”, these land grabbers have, for decades, unleashed terror on innocent property owners and developers, particularly in Southwestern Nigeria. Operating under the guise of traditional claims, these criminal groups often harass landowners, extort money under illegal levies, and in many cases, forcibly take over land and resell it to multiple unsuspecting buyers. The consequences have been devastating, ranging from destruction of properties, financial loss, to violent clashes that have led to injury and death.
In states like Ogun and Lagos, the activities of land grabbers escalated to the level of state security threats, with communities being held hostage, construction projects stalled, and investments driven away. In Lagos, for example, the establishment of a dedicated Task Force on Land Grabbers in 2016 followed high-profile incidents where developers were forcefully ejected, sometimes with police collusion. In Ogun State, entire communities like Mowe and Ibafo witnessed brazen land invasions that left indigenes and settlers alike in despair.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s bold step was not taken in a vacuum. It follows the recent passage of a comprehensive anti-land grabbing law by the Ondo State House of Assembly, a legislative effort spearheaded by Hon. Moyinolorun Taiwo Ogunwumiju, the Parliamentary Secretary and Member representing Ondo West Constituency 1. The law outlines stringent penalties:
10 years’ imprisonment for land grabbing and forceful entry
5 years or ₦5 million fine for illegal occupation
7 years’ imprisonment for violating real estate transaction regulations
21 years’ imprisonment for resale of property without proper revocation
2 years’ imprisonment for collecting illegal levies
These statutory provisions send a loud and unambiguous message: the era of impunity is over.
The newly inaugurated Task Force is made up of some of the most credible and capable individuals in the State. Alongside Dr. Ajulo are:
Engr. Olawoye Ayorinde Abiola, Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing
CP Wilfred Afolabi, Commissioner of Police, Ondo State
Chief Adetunji Adeleye, Commander, Amotekun
Surv. Idowu Owolabi, Ondo State Surveyor-General
Representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Physical Planning & Urban Development, and Local Government Authorities
Civil Society Representative: Olabanjo Aiyenakin, Esq
Community Representatives: Hon. Joseph Iranola Akinlaja (Central), Dr. Tunji Abayomi (North), and Radical Lawyer and Pro-Democracy Activist Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN (South)
Task Force Coordinator: Barr. Aiyegbusi Festus Olabode
This distinguished team is charged with rooting out land racketeering, ensuring enforcement of the law, and restoring public trust in the land allocation and development process.
For many residents of Ondo State, the Governor’s intervention is nothing short of a lifeline. Victims of “Omo Onile” have long suffered in silence, often abandoned in the maze of corrupt institutions and fearful of retaliation. The harassment, intimidation, and even assaults that many have endured have made land acquisition a dreaded endeavor. Some have even paid the ultimate price, losing their lives to the violence of land disputes.
The assurance given by Dr. Kayode Ajulo at the inauguration further deepens the public’s confidence. In his remarks, he stated emphatically that “the Task Force marks a turning point in land governance, promoting lawful ownership, peaceful coexistence, and institutional reform.” He pledged transparency, due process, and accountability, asserting that “there will be no sacred cows. Every violator, regardless of status, will be treated equally under the law.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has once again demonstrated its radical commitment to law, order, and human dignity. By confronting one of the most entrenched and dangerous aspects of informal criminal enterprise in land administration, his government is not only restoring order but also unlocking economic development, urban planning integrity, and investor confidence.
As Ondo State begins this new chapter, the people are hopeful, hopeful that this is not just a policy but a sustained movement toward justice and progress. With a visionary leader at the helm and a fearless task force at work, the war against land grabbing is finally meeting its match.
The people of Ondo can look forward to more landmark initiatives from Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration, initiatives that will make life more meaningful, secure, and prosperous for all.
Olufemi Lawson is the Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ondo State. He sent in this piece from Akure, Ondo State.
