Igbo Stakeholders Forum Raise Alarm Over Use Of Thugs By Land Grabbers

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Chairman of Igbo Stakeholders Forum, Prince Nixon Okwara, has expressed his displeasure over the use of thugs to cause mayhem by land grabbers and urged the Lagos State Government to intervene in order to prevent breakdown of law and order in the state.

P.M.EXPRESS reports as stated by Okwara following the recent bloody killing and destruction of properties in Green Field Estate in Ago, Okota area of Lagos.

He stated that the recent act by thugs, in forcefully taking possession of land which is not theirs in Lagos State, is a matter that must seriously be addressed by the Governor of Lagos State and the Federal Government. 

“We got various reports on the constant use of thugs and armed men to attack our people around Green Field Estate and dispossess them of their lands. Even in recent times, a land owner was tied up and tortured to death on his own land by these thugs and the matter is still being investigated” he said.

Okwara said that the violence is increasing on daily basis and it appeared that land grabbers have just become stronger than the Police and seemed untouchable.

“We do not believe that might is right; we had to take this matter  the civil way and also to the Police so as to stop this unnecessary and wanton killings going on.”
“We understand that Nigeria is in a fragile state and nobody has a monopoly of violence. So, if we decide to match violence for violence then there won’t be peace but fortunately for us we are at home with the real owners of the land as given by the Court verdict.”

There had been land dispute between the Okeregbe family and Bashorun Ogundairo family.During the struggle between the  two families on who rightly owns the land, the matter was taken to Court in 1994 and the Court case went on for 19 yrs before the Supreme Court gave its verdict stating that the Ogundairo family are the rightful owners and they can take possession.Though the Court has given verdict on rightful ownership but the opponent was still making trouble and will go to the land and sell with bandits thereby causing mayhem in the area.

“As the community leaders, we cannot fold our hands and watch our people being killed by hoodlums. The two innocent buyers of those lands are Igbos and of course it’s our concern. Those who have come to cause harm to peaceful buyers should be made to face the full wrath of the law. The matter we do not want the Police to sweep under the carpet is the use of thugs here. We want to know who brings these thugs and where they come from. We want to know who Alhaji Saheed Aregbe is, and what power he possesses to bring  armed men to do what he likes and goes away with it. This is certainly not banana republic” Okwara stated.