Wailing, anger as Residents and farmers of Aponmu community in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State trooped out early this morning to protest against massive destruction of their farmlands by land grabbers, raising concern that breakdown of law and order in the area may be looming following renewed activities of land grabbers.
The protesters, led by Pastor Tope Akinkuade, stormed the streets carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Powerful people have taken over our cocoa farms,” “Mr Governor, please save our souls,” and “We can’t pay our children’s school fees.”
Addressing journalists, Pastor Akinkuade said the community had endured years of intimidation and violent attacks from individuals claiming to act under the authority of a traditional institution.
The community leader cautioned that the situation could soon degenerate into open confrontation if the government fails to intervene urgently.
“Aponmu is a multi-ethnic community that has, for over a century, accommodated people from across Nigeria, most of whom are cocoa farmers,” Akinkuade said.
“Our cocoa farms — our only source of livelihood — are being destroyed by these land grabbers who invade with armed men, clear farmlands with bulldozers, and sell them off with impunity.”
He lamented that several farmers have been harassed, arrested, and detained unjustly after resisting the invaders. According to him, some victims have lost everything, while others live in constant fear.
He cited past incidents, including the killing of community leader Emmanuel Ogboriefon, and the destruction of cocoa plantations belonging to Charles Akinrolayo, who was also detained after protesting the invasion of his land.
“Cocoa farming is the lifeblood of Ondo State’s economy and a key contributor to Nigeria’s GDP,” Akinkuade stated. “But now, millions of cocoa trees are being destroyed, families are starving, and the state is losing revenue because a few powerful individuals have chosen greed over humanity.”
He added that a letter had earlier been addressed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on October 17, 2025, to intimate him with the activities of the land grabbers and the growing tension in the community.
However, despite the letter, the situation has worsened, with new incursions into farmlands continuing unabated on daily basis.
Akinkuade noted that while the state government once intervened to halt the attacks, the situation flared up again in mid-October when surveyors and earth-moving machines, escorted by armed policemen, returned to clear more farms.
“On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the bulldozers came again, guarded by policemen. When villagers confronted them, the policemen briefly withdrew, only to return later, claiming they were acting under some authority,” he said.
He urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to act swiftly to prevent chaos, stressing that the people’s patience is wearing thin.
Addressing the protesters, Bola Taiwo, the Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Union Matters addressed the angry farmers and urged them to remain calm, assuring that the government would look into their grievances.
Taiwo advised the protesters to channel their complaints through the appropriate authorities, promising that the governor would ensure a peaceful and just resolution to the lingering dispute.
He commended the farmers for conducting themselves peacefully and reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives, property, and investments across the state.
The protesters vowed to continue their peaceful demonstrations until the Ondo State government addresses their grievances and restores peace to the community.
