By Ayodele Popoola
For years, land grabbing has remained one of the most troubling challenges confronting landowners, investors and communities across Ondo State.
What once appeared to be isolated incidents of illegal land occupation gradually evolved into an organiSed criminal enterprise characterised by forceful takeover of properties, multiple sales of the same plots of land, violent intimidation of lawful owners, and prolonged court disputes. Today, however, the Ondo State Government appears determined to confront the menace head-on.
The state’s renewed war against land grabbers has become one of the most talked-about governance interventions under the administration of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, drawing commendation from legal practitioners, real estate investors, and residents who have long suffered from fraudulent land dealings.
A growing menace
Land grabbing is not peculiar to Ondo State. Across Nigeria, criminal syndicates and desperate individuals exploit loopholes in land administration to illegally seize lands or extort legitimate property owners.
In Ondo State, the problem became increasingly alarming in urban centres such as Akure, Ondo and Owo, as well as parts of the coastal axis where rising urbanisation and increasing land values intensified competition for property ownership.
Victims often recount painful experiences of purchasing land legally only to discover that the same property had been sold to multiple buyers. Others tell stories of thugs invading construction sites, demanding unlawful levies, disrupting development projects or laying dubious claims to ownership.
The menace has not spared traditional institutions. In some cases, allegations have emerged against certain traditional rulers accused of using their influence to revoke previously allocated lands and resell them to other buyers. Such actions have further complicated land administration and heightened tensions within affected communities.
For many residents, land disputes have resulted in prolonged litigation, financial losses, family divisions and, in some tragic cases, violent confrontations leading to loss of lives.
Government’s renewed crackdown
Recognising the damaging impact of land grabbing on economic growth and public confidence, the Ondo State Government has intensified efforts to tackle the problem through legal and institutional mechanisms.
The administration has repeatedly reiterated its zero tolerance for illegal land occupation and fraudulent property transactions. Recent prosecutions and remand orders involving suspected land grabbers have signalled a shift from mere rhetoric to active enforcement.
In several cases before courts in the state, suspects accused of unlawful land sales, forceful encroachment, and fraudulent transactions have been prosecuted, reflecting what government officials describe as a deliberate effort to dismantle criminal networks operating within the land sector.
The Chairman of the State Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo,, SAN, OON, has consistently warned perpetrators to desist from illegal activities or face the full wrath of the law.
Speaking during a meeting of the task force in Akure, Ajulo declared that 2026 would be a difficult year for land grabbers operating in the Sunshine State.
According to him, anyone found violating the Ondo State Properties Protection and Its Documentation Law, 2024, would be dealt with decisively.
“The grace period expired with 2025. Any land grabber operating in Ondo State should know that this year will be different,” he warned.
Ajulo disclosed that the government had compiled names of individuals allegedly linked to persistent land grabbing activities and vowed that offenders would be arrested, prosecuted, and made to face the full consequences of their actions.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for addressing long-standing concerns surrounding land-related fraud through the enactment of the Ondo State Properties Protection and Its Documentation Law, 2024, which criminalises land grabbing and related offences.
According to him, the governor’s support and provision of operational resources have strengthened the effectiveness of the task force.
No sanctuary for collaborators
The Attorney-General further warned that the government would not only prosecute land grabbers but also investigate professionals and collaborators who aid illegal land transactions.
According to him, lawyers, surveyors, land agentsand other individuals who knowingly facilitate or connive with land grabbers would equally face prosecution.
“We are widening the scope of enforcement because land grabbing does not thrive in isolation. Some collaborators and enablers provide technical, legal, and logistical support to these criminal activities. Let it be clear that no one will be spared,” he said.
He stressed that the administration remains committed to restoring sanity, confidence and lawful order to land administration in the state.
Recent arrests and prosecutions
The government’s resolve became evident in recent weeks when more than 15 persons allegedly involved in land grabbing activities were arrested and prosecuted.
Among those arraigned were two prominent traditional rulers accused of involvement in disputed land ownership cases. The suspects were arrested in various parts of the state over allegations ranging from forceful takeover of properties to the use of thugs to dispossess rightful owners and issue threats to their lives.
Although some of the suspects were granted bail under varying conditions, those unable to meet the requirements were remanded at the correctional facility pending compliance.
Protecting investors and economic growth
Experts argue that land security is fundamental to economic development.
Investors are often reluctant to commit resources to environments where ownership disputes are rampant and legal protection appears uncertain.
In Ondo State, concerns over land insecurity reportedly discouraged some developers from embarking on housing and commercial projects. Stakeholders in the real estate sector believe the current crackdown could reverse that trend by creating a safer and more predictable investment climate.
The President of the Real Estate Managers Association of Ondo State, Otunba Alaba Bamidele Charles made it known that the law has significantly reduced incidents of multiple sales and illegal takeovers.
He said investors in the diaspora who purchase land from abroad now have the confidence to buy lands in the state, because nobody wants to buy land only to discover later that another person is laying claim to it, it has made Ondo State more attractive for investment.
He added that the Attorney General is undoubtedly working in the right direction, saying their association is ready to continue collaborating with him and relevant government agencies to ensure the successful implementation of the Ondo State Anti-Land Grabbing Law.
Charles also commends Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for being a peace-loving leader, for supporting the initiative and recognising its importance to the state’s development.
Another property consultant in Akure, Mr. Segun Ogunenika explained that confidence in land transactions increases when buyers are assured of government protection and speedy legal intervention in cases of fraud.
“People invest where their assets are safe. Once government demonstrates seriousness in protecting landowners, investors naturally become more confident,” the consultant said.
The human cost of land grabbing
Beyond its economic implications, land grabbing exacts a heavy human toll.
Families have reportedly lost ancestral properties through fraudulent transactions, while many individuals have exhausted life savings pursuing legal battles over ownership rights.
In rural communities, unresolved land disputes have deepened divisions among families and communities, occasionally escalating into violence.
Observers say the emotional and psychological trauma suffered by victims is often overlooked, particularly among retirees and low-income earners who invest in land as a means of securing their future.
Challenges ahead
Despite the renewed offensive, stakeholders insist that the battle against land grabbing requires sustained commitment.
Legal experts argue that prosecution alone may not be sufficient unless accompanied by stronger land documentation systems, digitisation of land records, improved record keeping and public awareness campaigns.
Community leaders have also called for stronger collaboration among traditional institutions, local authorities and security agencies to identify and expose criminal elements involved in illegal land dealings.
A test of political will
For many residents, the current offensive against land grabbers represents a critical test of political will.
While recent arrests and prosecutions have been widely welcomed, many observers believe consistency and sustained enforcement will ultimately determine the success of the campaign.
What remains clear is that land grabbing is no longer viewed merely as a civil dispute in Ondo State. It is increasingly regarded as a threat to economic stability, investment, public peace, and the rule of law.
As the government continues its crackdown, landowners and investors hope the campaign will not only punish offenders but also establish a transparent and secure property system capable of restoring confidence in land ownership.
Ultimately, the war against land grabbers in Ondo State may prove to be more than a legal battle, it could become a defining struggle for justice, economic progress, and the protection of citizens’ property rights.