The Akibio of Ilora in Afijio local government area of Oyo State His Royal Highness, Oba Stephen Olufemi Oyeniyi, Ilufemiloye Gbadewolu Oparinde ll has described as laughable the allegation of being a land grabber levelled against him by residents of Isioye village in Akinyele local government area of the state.
The monarch, who spoke to journalists in his palace on Monday, expressed shock over the accusation that he sent some people to engaged in land grabbing in the area.
Oba Oyeniyi disclosed that some of his subjects around the area had been harassed and injured by villagers at Isioye for no just cause, claiming that they were land grabbers.
Oba Oyeniyi said a letter has been written to the Executive Chairman, Afijio local government, and other relevant agencies for their timely intervention.
The monarch said a very long time ago, Atente, Baba Ode, and Asaju has been under the authority of Ilora and Akibio, with the three villages being headed by Baale in their domain.
Also, speaking with journalists, Bamiji Oyesoro, who the Isioye community claimed is a son to Oba Oyeniyi, but which the claim was incorrect, said he and others were at Atente and Baba Ode as well as Asaju Villages to settle few issues as directed by Oba Oyeniyi.
“The truth is, Village heads from Asaju, Baba Ode, and Atente came to Akibio palace to formally complain of certain issues that need to be addressed.
“Kaabiyesi then instructed me to go and resolve it. While at one of the villages, the isioye residents with one man , Baba Bolu, came some soldiers with ammunition and started harassing us and later chased us away.
“Even though we were trying to let them know our mission, they never allowed us , as we chased away with guns machete and other dangerous weapons.”
Also, Olayiwola Olayemi narrated how he was badly beaten with cutlass and was also injured by Isioye community.
“My name is Olayiwola Olayemi, on October 1st, 2024, I was riding on a bicycle along Asaju community, few minutes after, all I saw was a massive crowd coming with dangerous weapons and as such they started attacking me. I was asking them what was my offence was, and they said I was part of those that came to their village
“I was given a very thorough beating and then they took me to Baale of Isioye and from there to Baale of Ijaiye, all these were with serious harassment and torture.
They later took me to Area Command, Moniya on the count that I was disturbing the peace of the area. I spent three days in the cell. My brother also came to gave me food, he was also detained alongside me.
It was after that that I was granted bail. It was a bad experience for me, especially as I never committed any wrongdoing or offence.”
He added that a man referred to as “Baba Bolu is a member of the community was seeing carrying live ammunition, boasting that he had already bought all the lands in the area and no one should be seen around the area.
The man, Baba Bolu who came with soldiers were also seeing on video destroying Bill boards and landmarks for Baba Ode, Asaju, and Atente, which has never been part of Isioye.