The Oyo State Government has demolished illegal structures built on government-acquired lands in the Podo area, Top One Garden (Oluyole LGA), and Dizengoff, Kolapo Ishola within Ibadan metropolis.
The State Commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, led the exercise on Wednesday, warning against land grabbing and illegal occupation of government properties.
Government’s Stand on Land Grabbing
Akin-Funmilayo emphasized:
“These lands are government assets, and we will not tolerate any form of encroachment.”
He cited Section 3, Subsection 1 of the Oyo State Real Property Protection Law (2017), which prescribes a 15-year jail term for land grabbers.
The commissioner also revealed that the government had issued revocation notices to the illegal occupants, published in a national daily on September 25, 2012, and the land was gazetted for a neighborhood market.
Despite losing a legal battle against the state, some individuals continued occupying the land illegally.
Compensation for Legal Landowners
While maintaining zero tolerance for land grabbing, Akin-Funmilayo assured that landowners with valid Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) would be compensated.
“Governor Seyi Makinde is committed to ensuring the state’s assets are used for public benefit,” he reiterated.
Stay tuned for more updates on land reforms in Oyo State.
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