“Call your boys to order in Osun” – Landowners tell Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja

Kelebe-Omu Landowners Association has called the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja to call men of the Nigerian Army in Osun state to order over a protracted land dispute between the association and the Nigerian Army which has taken a new turn despite two different court injunctions affirming the association’s ownership of the contested land.

While speaking with newsmen on Monday, the secretary of the association, Folorunsho Sulaimon, expressed concern over the alleged continuous harassment and intimidation by the Nigerian Army, reiterating that the association holds the warrant of possession and the state of execution underscoring their legal right to the land.

Sulaimon added that the persistent actions of the army were not only in contempt of the court ruling but also a source of undue stress and fear among their members, calling on the authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice prevails.

WATCH VIDEO: How Soldiers invade landowners while enforcing Court judgment in Osun

In his reaction, the spokesperson for the Kelebe-Omu Land Owners Association, Alhaji Hamed Loroki, called on both the federal and state governments to step in and mediate the issue. He stressed the importance of government intervention in maintaining peace and harmony in Osun State.

Loroki added that the alleged interference of the army on the land dispute was threatening the peaceful coexistence in Osun State, appealing to the government to enforce the court’s decision and put an end to the intimidation faced by their members.

Meanwhile, Chief Amodu Akanbi, the Oluponna of Osogboland and Chairman of the Kelebe-Omu Land Owners Association, has urged the Chief of Army Staff to intervene and find a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Akanbi stressed the need for a peaceful settlement to avoid further tensions in the area, saying, “The Kelebe-Omu Land Owners Association remains resolute in defending their rights as the legally recognise owners of the land, as confirmed by the 2023 court injunction.

“The association will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and legal means, hoping for swift action from the relevant authorities to prevent further escalation.”