Man Injured, Family Flees After Late-Night Attack by Suspected Land Grabbers in Ibadan

By Kehinde Ayanboade

A family in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has reportedly gone into hiding following a violent late-night attack by suspected land grabbers at their residence in the Akingbile area of the city.

The incident occurred around 10:35 p.m. on Friday at No. 11 Onilu Lane, Akingbile, where the attackers stormed the home of one Mr. Olusegun Abayomi, allegedly in search of a man identified as Olakunle Ojo, who is reportedly involved in a land dispute.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, armed with guns, machetes, and sticks, unleashed brutal violence on Mr. Abayomi, who is believed to have no involvement in the land issue. He was severely beaten and left in a coma, sustaining deep machete wounds to his head and legs.

“It was a horrifying sight. These men came as if they were on a mission. They beat him mercilessly and left him for dead,” a resident, who requested anonymity, told journalists.

According to local sources, the same group had been making repeated visits to the property in recent weeks, allegedly attempting to track down Mr. Olakunle Ojo, whose current whereabouts remain unknown. Days before the attack, a threatening notice was said to have been pasted on the building, warning of dire consequences if Mr. Olakunle Ojo was not produced.

“They’ve been threatening to return, insisting they must get hold of Mr. Ojo,” the resident added. “Now, his family has fled the area to avoid being killed.”

Land grabbing remains a growing threat in Ibadan and other parts of southwestern Nigeria, despite existing legislation criminalizing the act. In 2022, the Oyo State Government passed a law prescribing up to 15 years’ imprisonment for convicted land grabbers. However, enforcement has reportedly remained weak, leaving many communities exposed to intimidation and violence.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to make any arrests. Meanwhile, residents are calling on the police and the state government to take urgent action to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore safety to the area.