Land Grabbing: Oyo Assembly Urges Govt to Conduct Land Audit to Curb Illegal Acquisition

 

The Oyo State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to undertake a comprehensive land audit to identify legitimate landowners and prevent illegal land grabbing.

This resolution was made on Tuesday during a motion moved by Honorable Waheed Akintayo, representing Oluyole State Constituency.

The motion, titled “Need for the Task Force on Real Properties Protection Law 2016 to Intensify Efforts in Curbing Increased Incidents of Land Grabbing Activities in the State,” highlighted the alarming rate of land grabbing in Oyo State.

According to the motion, despite the existence of the Oyo State Real Properties Protection Law 2016, which prescribes penalties for land grabbing, including a fine of ₦500,000 or a 15-year prison term, land grabbers continue to invade villages, destroy farms, and intimidate landowners.

The Lawmakers in their contributions to the motion noted that the impunity of land grabbers is unacceptable, particularly since no culprit seems to have been punished or prosecuted.

They called on the Real Property Protection Law Task Force to step up enforcement of the law by prosecuting land grabbers.

Additionally, they urged traditional rulers and community leaders to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to resolve land ownership disputes peacefully and hold those involved in land grabbing accountable.

The House also directed Heads of Security Agencies to address the alleged complicity of their officials in aiding and abetting land grabbing activities in the state.

The Tuesday plenary was presided over by Deputy Speaker Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi.