50 Epe Farmers Seek Sanwo-Olu’s Intervention Over Alleged Military Takeover of Farmlands

News in Brief:

-Afero Commercial Farmers allege that the Nigerian Army seized farmlands allocated to them by the Lagos State Government, forcing many members into financial distress.

-The farmers claim losses of over N3 billion and are seeking Governor Sanwo-Olu’s intervention and allocation of alternative farmland.

A group of commercial farmers in Epe, Lagos State, appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in what they described as the Nigerian Army's unlawful takeover of their farmlands.

The farmers, operating under the Afero Commercial Farmers group, said the dispute has persisted for three years, leaving many members financially ruined and without a source of livelihood.

The group, which consists of about 50 corporate farmers employing more than 1,000 workers, appealed during a press conference where they formally submitted a petition to the governor.

Farmers Allege Repeated Displacement

Chairman of the group, Wale Oyekoya, said the disputed farmland was allocated to them in 2015 by the administration of former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, after their original farms in the Afero community were acquired for the proposed Lekki-Epe International Airport project.

According to Oyekoya, the farmers accepted the relocation in support of government development plans but were displaced again after the military allegedly laid claim to the land.

“This is the third year since the military seized our farms, claiming ownership of the land that was given to us by the Lagos State Government itself,” he said.

He added that efforts to resolve the dispute through the Lagos State Multi-Door Courthouse and repeated engagements with government authorities had not produced results.

Farmers Claim ₦3bn Losses

The farmers alleged that government officials were at one point denied access to the farmland by military personnel during attempts to assess the extent of damage on the site.

"We reported to the Lagos State Government, and the officials sent were not allowed into the farm. Even when we went there together, access was denied. The government later had to use drones to assess the damage," Oyekoya said.

The group estimated its losses at more than ₦3 billion, noting that members were preparing to harvest produce from over 1,000 active acres before the alleged invasion occurred.

According to the farmers, their operations covered poultry, piggery, fisheries, oil palm and rubber plantations, as well as ranches, processing plants, and cold room facilities.

They further alleged that livestock were released by soldiers and that properties left behind on the farms were destroyed.

Farmers Raise Livelihood, Food Security Concerns

The group said affected farmers include retirees who invested their pensions and gratuities into agriculture, alongside professionals such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, and retired security personnel.

Some members, according to the group, also obtained bank loans using personal properties as collateral and now face the risk of losing their homes.

“Two of our members have died. Some others are battling health challenges without adequate resources for proper medical treatment. Some are even abroad right now receiving medical treatment,” Oyekoya said.

In the petition submitted to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the farmers said a state government committee comprising the Commissioner for Agriculture and the Attorney-General had already reviewed the matter and submitted a report.

“All we can ask for at this point is your priority review of the report to enable closure of the matter without further delay. Further delay would translate into prolonged suffering for those of us who want to contribute to the food security of the nation,” the petition stated.

Group Prefers Negotiated Settlement

The farmers are also requesting the allocation of another parcel of land, noting that the Epe farmland was already the third location allocated to them following previous government relocations.

Asked whether the group planned to return to court, Oyekoya said the farmers preferred dialogue and government intervention over prolonged litigation.

“We already went through the multi-door court. This government is our government, and we want the governor to succeed. Not everything should go to court,” he said.

He added that the unresolved dispute could further worsen concerns around food security in Lagos State and undermine broader agricultural development efforts under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.