A group of government-recognised farmers in Irore Ajelanwa Community, OA3A Oluwa Forest Reserve, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 17, over alleged threats to their lives and forcible entry into their farmlands.
The petition, signed by their solicitor, Henry Akingbesote, and dated Oct. 30, alleged that one Damilola Olowoniyi invaded the community’s cocoa plantations with a group of armed men, issuing threats and asking the farmers to vacate the land.
The farmers, who cultivate about 251 hectares of cocoa, said they were lawful government tenants and beneficiaries of the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution Programme, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
They stated that they are duly registered with the state government and pay annual rents into the government treasury for the portions of land allocated to them.
According to the petition, although the state government has leased part of the forest reserve to SAO Investor, an existing arrangement allows the petitioners to continue their legitimate farming activities in the area.
The solicitor said inquiries revealed that both the Ondo State Government and SAO Investor had denied knowledge of Olowoniyi’s action and confirmed that he had no land rights within the area occupied by the farmers.
The petition alleged that the suspect threatened to kill or maim the farmers and burn their cocoa plantations if they refused to leave the land.
It also said the farmers were living in fear due to repeated intimidation and the presence of armed men around their farms.
The petitioners appealed to the police to investigate the allegations, arrest the individuals involved and prevent a possible breakdown of law and order in the community.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Orunja of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade.
The petitioners noted that they still paid two million, five hundred and ten thousand in tax as of Dec. 2024 which showed that they were recognised by the state government
