Ajanaku Oluwaseun, Reporting

THERE is growing tension and unrest in Akufo, a once peaceful farm settlement, located in the Eleyele axis of Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, as farmers and landowners cry out over an organised land grab allegedly backed by traditional authorities and elements of the government.

According to multiple accounts from distressed residents, the crisis escalated following the announcement of Ejiogbe as the new Baale (village head) of Akufo.

Eyewitnesses and victims claim that a group of individuals, who identified themselves as working under the new Baale, have been going around reselling lands, demolishing buildings, and collecting illegal charges from landowners.

One affected farmer, who spoke anonymously, revealed: “I own four plots. Two have buildings already, yet they still made me pay ₦120,000 to reclaim them.

“They said if there’s no house on your land, you must pay ₦40,000 per plot—or face forceful takeover. Even charms are being used to threaten those who resist.”

Another disturbing case involves a woman whose uncompleted building was demolished allegedly to sell the land to a real estate company known as Design Bricks.

“I contacted one of the agents from Design Bricks and reported the demolition,” she said. “His response was shocking — ‘We’re not at fault; the Baale gave us the go-ahead.’”

Sources further alleged that more than seven real estate companies have acquired land in Akufo, including Joy Land and Design Bricks.

However, residents insist that most of these companies have only fenced off plots without starting meaningful development, despite displacing several local dwellers in the name of urban expansion.

“This is beyond a farm settlement issue,” said a local pig farmer. “Even people with proper land documents like Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) are being forced to ‘re-buy’ their land.

“The former Baale signed off many of these lands for residential and agricultural use. Now, the new leadership is nullifying those agreements.”

The situation is worsened by the fear and silence among local elders and villagers. Many refuse to speak publicly, afraid of spiritual threats or physical harm.

“Even elders are panicking,” said one community member. “If you no gree by mouth, them go make you gree by charm.”

Efforts by some community leaders to intervene have yielded no results.

Reports say the case was brought before the Onido of Ido, the Baale overseeing the wider local government, but he allegedly referred them to Governor Seyi Makinde, stating that the matter was beyond his power.

“This shows the operation has strong backup. The people feel abandoned. If the government is truly not involved, they should step in now,” said Mr. Austin, a concerned resident.

Meanwhile, the community is mobilising for mass awareness via social media, hoping that public outcry may draw the attention of human rights groups, the media, and responsible government agencies.

Some residents also raised concerns over the original agreement between farmers and the government during the creation of the farm settlement.

They want clarity on whether the contractual years have expired — and if so, whether relocation alternatives should be provided.

The events unfolding in Akufo raise serious questions about land rights, government accountability, and the unchecked rise of real estate development in traditional communities — often at the cost of food security and people’s livelihoods.

(This is a developing story. Pictures and video footage from Akufo will be shared in our subsequent updates.)