Tension escalated in the Kelebe area of Osogbo on Monday morning when soldiers stormed a gathering of the Kelebe-Omu Landowners Association, leading to chaos and confusion. During the altercation, a driver of a caterpillar employed by the landowners and another association member were taken away by the soldiers.
The landowners had convened to enforce a judgment from an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife. On January 10, 2023, Justice A. O. Ayoola ruled that the members of the Kelebe-Omu Landowners Association were the rightful owners of the disputed land. The court also granted the association a warrant of possession, allowing them to take control of the land without any appeal from the Nigerian Army.
Chief Amodu Akanbi, Chairman of the Association, expressed his concern over the development, revealing that two members had been abducted and taken to the Nigerian Army Engineering Construction Command in Ede, Osun State. He called on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to intervene to prevent further violence and tension.
“After the judgment, we discovered that the Nigerian Army was selling plots on the property. We approached the court with evidence, which was tendered as exhibits in contempt of court,” Chief Akanbi stated. “We came here again to enforce the court judgment, and the soldiers attacked us. Two of our members have been abducted and taken away. Phones have been seized and several of our properties confiscated. We want Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu, and Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene and make the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, see the reason why violence should be avoided. Osun State is known for peace, and peace is what we want.”
Earlier in the year, the landowners had protested, urging the Osun State House of Assembly to intervene in the matter. In response to the ongoing land dispute, the Nigerian Army, through the Director of Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, announced that they had appealed the judgment ordering the service to relinquish possession of 3,646 acres of land located between the Kelebe area and Omu Stream in Osogbo/Olorunda Local Government Areas of Osun State.
In a statement released in February 2024, General Nwachukwu confirmed that the service had filed an appeal to overturn the high court decision at the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal. He emphasized that all parties were advised to maintain the status quo until the appellate court delivers its verdict on the matter.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to work in collaboration with relevant authorities to address any legitimate concern and ensure that justice prevails,” General Nwachukwu assured. “We appreciate the very apt and timely intervention of Honourable members of the House of Representatives and the Osun State House of Assembly in the matter. We also solicit the understanding and support of other stakeholders and the public, as we strive to maintain peace and security in our nation.”
