An Ogun State real estate developer, Kunle Owolabi, has raised alarms over alleged intimidation and harassment by armed men threatening his landed property in the Denro community, Ifo Local Government Area.
Owolabi, founder of Rigini Homes Limited, told PUNCH Metro that his company purchased 14 acres of land in 2019, with 11 acres and four plots fully documented and issued special numbers. He said the investment, largely funded by Nigerians in the diaspora, has cost over N1 billion, with projected returns of about N8 billion.
The trouble reportedly began in November when unknown individuals allegedly invaded the property at night and demolished the corner pillars marking the land. Despite spending N1.6 million to reconstruct the pillars, they were destroyed again the following day. Owolabi said the harassment escalated to armed threats, with some people advising him to pay off the assailants.
“The total land size is 14 acres, but we have only been able to complete documentation for 11 acres and four plots. What we have spent on the land, including funds from Nigerians in the diaspora, is over N1bn, and we were expecting returns of about N8bn. But all that hope is now being threatened by intimidation and harassment from land grabbers,” Owolabi said.
He further lamented that repeated appeals to the state’s land grabber unit in Abeokuta yielded no meaningful response, and police involvement has not resolved the issue. Owolabi warned that persistent cases of land grabbing and Omo Onile activities are discouraging genuine investors in the real estate sector.
Authorities have yet to provide updates on the investigation, with the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson not responding to inquiries as of Sunday.
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Is it just me, or does this situation in Ifo sound like its straight out of a suspense thriller movie? Crazy stuff happening!
This situation is crazy! How can developers be harassed over legally acquired land? Soing fishy is definitely going on here.
Why is land ownership still such a contentious issue in Nigeria? Its 2021, cant we find a more peaceful way to resolve disputes?
Wow, this is insane! How can developers be harassed over legally acquired land? Soing fishy is definitely going on here.