Some of the victims affected by the demolition of illegal structures along the first segment of the Ibadan Circular Road corridor have attributed their losses to the activities of land fraudsters and unscrupulous agents.
Speaking to journalists after receiving compensation from the Oyo State Government, several residents of affected communities, including Jigan, Agbena-Odeyale, and Aba Otun, expressed gratitude for the government’s intervention, while urging tougher action against those involved in the illegal sale of government land.
Mr. Usman Bada from Jigan community appealed to the government to intensify efforts in curbing the activities of individuals who fraudulently sell government-owned lands to unsuspecting buyers.
His sentiments were echoed by Mr. Saheed Adeleke of Agbena-Odeyale and Mrs. Omolara Basiru from Aba Otun, who stressed the need for authorities to check the excesses of impostors posing as landowners.
They recommended that the government collaborate with traditional heads and community leaders to authenticate land ownership and prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Akin-Funmilayo Williams, revealed that the government has approved N264 million in compensation for property owners affected in the first phase of the project.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fair treatment of all citizens and warned prospective land buyers to verify titles before making purchases.
