The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has identified land grabbing as the major challenge affecting residents and indigenes of the ancient city.
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Ladoja of Olubadan, a former governor of Oyo State, made this known on Friday at his Ondo Street residence in Bodija, Ibadan, while addressing journalists who visited him during this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
It was observed that Muslims around the world marked the Eid-el-Fitr festival on Friday.
While answering questions from journalists, Ladoja of Olubadan insisted that the issue of land grabbing has become a perennial problem which residents and indigenes of the ancient city have been battling over the years.
He said that this is negatively affecting the social and economic development of the ancient city.
Speaking on efforts to solve the problem, Ladoja noted that he has mandated village heads (Baales) and other custodians of land not to tolerate any form of land grabbing in their communities.
He added that local security agencies have also been advised to tackle the problem whenever it arises.
Answering questions related to insecurity, Ladoja of Olubadan explained that all hands are on deck to address the current security challenges in the ancient city.
He stated that the traditional institution and the government are on top of the situation.
He noted that the recent cases of kidnapping in the ancient city have nothing to do with Fulani herdsmen.
Responding to journalists, Ladoja of Olubadan said: “As you have said, we thought it was the problem of the North. These people are just out to extort money from people. It has nothing to do with Fulani or whatever it is.
“So I can tell you that they have learnt that in Ibadanland, we are on top of the situation. I am not saying that there are no cases, but the problems are being solved immediately they arise.
“The one in Oluyole Local Government Area you mentioned, do you know that three of the so-called terrorists were arrested? If we are able to arrest some of them, it means that we are on top of the situation. We are on top of the situation.
“And the major problem we have in Ibadan is not kidnapping at all; it is land grabbing. But we are tackling the problem. If you want to invest now, you acquire land, and when you get there, somebody is claiming it.
“So, I told you that we have notified our Baales to ensure that they are in charge of their domains. We are also mobilising the local vigilantes.”
