Daniel Agbolade, Ibadan

Residents of Ekerin layout, behind Abe technical college New garage Akala expressway in Oluyole local government area of Ibadan would not forget Thursday in a hurry as they were sacked from their houses by gun-wielding land grabbers.

The land grabbers were also armed with padlocks, chains, red paint with which they mark 'x' on the affected buildings.

It was learnt that many people fled for their dear lives and others unaware of the development scaled fence to safety on discovering that their houses had been locked up.

It was further gathered that a notice from Oyo state high court dated October 31st, 2018 with suit number 1/567/84 allegedly took possession of the property in the area.

Copies of the said order were pasted on the affected buildings. It was a matter instituted by Mr Emiola Adeleke against Mr Bayo Asani and others.

The unsuspecting residents, school owner, filling stations and churches said they were surprised to behold hoodlums and gun-wielding miscreants with matchette and other dangerous weapons as they forcefully gained entry into various houses and business outlets and ordered their gates locked at both ends.

Mostly affected were pupils of a private school, George and Duke located on the expressway, BJ food, ADETS OIL filling station, JAYPEE Lounge, RHEMA Church, Fit Price Restaurant, Mahendra Drilling, DSTV office, JFK inn & over 100 residential buildings in the area.

Chairman of the community, Mr Lamina Ajimotokan, said residents were never aware of any litigation of their property.

Ajimotokan, who said between 66/67 inhabitants were under him, queried the legality of such court order which was never brought to their notice.

The septuagenarian who was equally locked in with his family members decried in the unfortunate development and called on Oyo state state government to wade in.

He said it had never been done anywhere in the world where such a barbaric act would take place in broad day light without any notice, arguing that such development must not go uninvestigated.

He added that the lands were mostly sold to them in Ekerin layout by the Ekerin family, who had initially bought same from Olugbesan, stating that he purchased his own land way back in 1974 and they have been living there for 36 years.