Osun Farmers Accuse Traditional Leaders of Land Grabbing in Ife South

News in brief:

-Farmers in Ife South LGA allege intimidation, land grabbing, and seizure of farm produce by some traditional leaders.

-The Ologudu of Ogudu denies the allegations, insisting the farmland belongs to the Ooni and people of Ile-Ife.

No fewer than 88 farmers in the Wagaji Temidire area, Zone 4, Ifetedo in Ife South Local Government Area have accused some traditional leaders of intimidation, land grabbing, and seizure of farm produce.

The farmers called on the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Ogunwusi, to intervene in the crisis.

Speaking on behalf of the affected farmers, Ibrahim Oladipo said the disputed farmland was originally allocated to them during the reign of the late Ooni of Ife, Okunade Sijuwade.

Dispute Linked to Agricultural Reserve

Oladipo explained that the farmland forms part of a large agricultural reserve spanning about 30 square miles across communities including Oke-Igbo, Ifewara, Ifetedo, and Ile-Ife.

He said a management committee was initially established during the reign of the late monarch to oversee the farmland and collect a development levy from farmers cultivating the land.

According to him, the dispute began in 2023 when Jimoh Ajayi became chairman of the committee managing the reserve.

The farmers claimed that the development levy was increased from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 per acre and that they were later asked to begin paying royalties to Ile-Ife.

Allegations of Farm Produce Seizure

Oladipo further alleged that individuals accompanied by suspected thugs had visited farms, confiscating farming tools and harvesting cocoa belonging to farmers.

He cited the case of Bamitale Fafunmi, whose cocoa beans, valued at approximately ₦2.8 million, were allegedly taken away forcefully.

The farmers also accused Bunmi Odetayo, a community leader in the Wagaji Temidire area, of collaborating with others to intimidate farmers.

According to the farmers, several individuals were chased away from their farms during an incident on January 30, 2026, while tools such as cutlasses were confiscated.

They also alleged that one of the victims, Olaolu Makinde, lost his sight following an attack linked to the crisis.

The farmers said they had submitted several petitions to the police, including the Zone 11 Command, but claimed that the matter had yet to be resolved.

They appealed to Governor Adeleke and the Ooni of Ife to intervene, restore peace, and enable them to continue their farming activities.

Monarch Denies Allegations

The Ologudu of Ogudu, Oba Jimoh Ajayi, denied allegations of harassment and land grabbing.

He maintained that the agricultural reserve belongs to the Ooni and the people of Ile-Ife rather than to individuals or families.

According to the monarch, he was appointed by the Ooni to chair the management team responsible for reorganising and correcting irregularities in the allocation of farmland within the reserve.

Ajayi also disclosed that parts of the reserve had previously been leased by the former Western State Government and that the lease expired in November last year.

He insisted that farmers with valid documents authorising their presence in the reserve would not be disturbed and are free to continue their farming activities.