Occupants of Odo Omun/Idiya Community in Iseyin local government area of Oyo State have agreed with terms and conditions given by Nigeria Army to reacquire the farm land allegedly encroached by them to give peace a chance.
In a peaceful meeting held recently between people of the community and delegate of Nigerian Army led by the Secretary, Committee in Charge of the peaceful resolution of the disputed landed properties, Major SI Zaman, the Chairman of Odo Omun Community, Mr Odeleye Johnson Olubukola speaking on behalf of his people appealed to Nigerian Army to thread softly with them as he disclosed that nobody was aware and there were no evidences before the occupants of the disputed land that proved that the land belongs to Nigerian Army.
He narrated that they all acquired the land from different families who all claimed legitimate ownership of the land.
He sought for the support and sincerity of Nigerian Army in assisting his people so that they will not lose their properties and become homeless. Mr Odeleye added that surely rendering people homeless will pose another challenge to Nigerian government.
According to him, people in the community are law abiding citizens who were all ready to become legitimate owners of their properties as he added that the Army should give their actions on the matter a face value.
He appealed to Nigerian army to help the masses not to render them homeless. “Let the amount to pay be reasonable and affordable,” Odeleye stressed.
In his own reaction during the meeting, Major Zaman declared that the land belongs to Nigerian Army as it was handed over to Nigerian army by late Alhaji Ashiru Ishola Olona as Army farm land.
He said “the surveyor is still alive, he did it for Baba Olona, we have our document, we’ve discovered where our land is! You people have encroached into the land but we came like gentle men and we expected you to do the same”.
He disclosed that there will be charges the occupants are going to pay while hinted that they have marked the houses on Nigerian army farm land.
Major Zaman declared “you’re going to reacquire the land by paying the money stipulated. It is going to be a thorough job. It’s not a joking matter. Towards the sugarcane industry, if you have land there forget it”.
He warned people in the community not to cause trouble. “We’re going to secure the remaining land. We shall fence it. You’re paying into a dedicated army’s account. They will use it to fence and secure the remaining land”.
The Secretary promised that Nigerian Army shall give the whole exercise the deserved face value as sought by the Chairman of the community.
