Victor Akinkuolie

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Residents of Kinisho town, Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo State on Wednesday protested over what they called alledged invasion of their palm tree plantation by Oba Bamidele Akinwe, the Akogbe of Ajue town.

The protesters led by the monarch of the community, Oloja Ganiyu Allí, joined by other residents who are mainly women, with leaves in their hands blocked the only access road to the sleepy community.

The protesters who matched from the palace of the monarch later moved to the farm where the alledged invasion of their palm tree plantation took place.

During the protest, the people numbering about hundreds alledged that Oba Bamidele Akinwe had refused to obey the High Court judgement of 2024 which favoured the people of Kinisho community when the case was taken to the court.

The protesters led by the monarch later embarked on traditional prayers and prayed against the alledged invasion as well as the wellbeing of residents of the community, Ondo State and Nigeria on general.

They equally called on the state government to rescue the town from the hands of Oba Bamidele Akinwe, the Akogbe of Ajue, who they claimed has been using his position to oppressed the people of their community.

They equally pledged their continuous loyalty to the government of Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, appealing to the governor to intervene in the matter and take their farmland back to them from the people of Ajue community.

Speaking with our correspondent, the monarch of Kinisho community, Oloja Ganiyu Allí, said the alledged invasion came to him as a surprise, since the court has ruled that the land belong to the people of his community.

The monarch who lamented over various activities of Oba Akinwe, alledged that the monarch has about three litigations in the court on various land issues in different communities around his town.

He promised that his community will continue to maintain law, order and peace in his domain, and called on the Ondo State Government to intervene in the matter, saying that the move will continue to ensure more peace and transquity in the area.

A resident of the community, Mr Ikechukwu Lazarus, who also alledged that Oba Akinwe has invaded his palm tree plantation with people from Urobo extraction, called on the government, police and other security agencies to intervene in the matter.

He explained that he inherited his palm tree plantation from his father who hailed from a royal family in the community.

Another resident and Indigene of Kinisho town, Mr Segun Igodalo, who also alledged that Oba Akinwe equally invaded his palm tree plantation, said he inherited the palm tree plantation from his forefathers who died many years back.

He called on the government to assist him and other residents of the community to get his land back from Oba Akinwe.

Several residents of the community who spoke during the protest lamented over the situation and called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to intervene in the matter.