Widow Petitions Lagos Govt Over Takeover Of Property By Landgrabbers

A 75-year-old widow, Mrs Kehinde Agbetanmije, has petitioned the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers against the forceful takeover of her property in the Idimu area of the state.

Her daughter, Mrs Olayemi Oshinusi, confirmed the development to The Premier News on Tuesday.

She noted that the government agency promised to invite all parties in the matter and recover the property for the family.

Our correspondent had reported that some hoodlums took over the landed property on Adetayo Street, Alake, Ikotun-Idimu Road on Monday, February 1, 2021.

They were said to have immediately constructed a fence around the land, as they threatened the widow and her daughter.

A prince in the community, Idris Balogun, aka Oluomo, was alleged to be behind the forced takeover of the land, which the widow’s family said was bought in 1977.

Balogun had, however, denied being responsible for the invasion.

He claimed that his family after 35 years in court got a judgment which ceded a large portion of the community land to them.

Oshinusi told our correspondent on Tuesday that her mother had petitioned the state government over the matter.

“We delivered the petition to the anti-land grabber task force last week Wednesday, and it was acknowledged. We initially visited the state Ministry of Justice, from where we were referred to as the anti-land grabbers. We were told that the prince would be summoned to their office,” she added.

The Coordinator of the task force, Mr Owolabi Arole, said the agency read The Premier News report on the plight of the widow and was interested in the matter.

He said he had yet to see the petition of the family.

“Please tell them to bring it to our office, so we can treat it,” he added.