Kwara Residents Demand Govt’s Intervention Over Land Grabbing

In Kwara State, over 5,000 internally displaced individuals are urgently seeking government intervention following claims of land grabbing, property demolitions, and forceful acquisition of properties in Ilorin.

The affected residents, who spoke through their spokesperson Pastor Tope Ajetumobi, have appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu for immediate action.

The group is demanding that the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, be compelled to provide compensation amounting to N160 billion.

They allege that in 2018, the Nigerian Army Engineers demolished 976 structures to benefit NNPCL, leaving the displaced individuals without homes or compensation.

The affected area spans from Oke Oyi to Tanke Pipeline Road, extending 11.83 kilometers in length and 42.5 meters in width.

The demolished properties include residential homes, commercial buildings, religious sites, schools, recreational centers, and healthcare facilities.

Despite numerous attempts to secure compensation, Pastor Ajetumobi claims that efforts have been obstructed by the NNPCL Managing Director.

He also highlighted a 2019 resolution by the House Public Petitions Committee, which called for NNPCL to assess the damage and negotiate compensation, a request allegedly ignored by the corporation.

The displaced residents cite several grounds for their compensation claim, including loss of land value, property, business, and health damages as per the Oil Pipeline Act of 2004 and the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Act of 1992.

Pastor Ajetumobi has urged President Tinubu to address the issue promptly, as the victims continue to endure severe hardship. The resolution of this compensation issue remains pending as the affected individuals await a response.

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