Despite the intervention of Ondo State Government to stave-off land dispute between Supare and Oka communities, there was a mild drama yesterday as some irate farmers disrupted public peace in Akoko South West Local Government Area.
The farmers, said to be from Oka-Akoko, invaded the Local Council and were on the verge of chasing away staff, but for the quick intervention of the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe.
According to a source, the irked farmers were protesting alleged harsh treatment meted out on them by a neigbouring community, Supare Akoko.
The impeccable source stated that the protesting farmers vowed to unleash mayhem this week if any council worker from Supare resumes work.
"Ondo State Government must draft security operatives to Akungba, Oka and Supare in order to avert possible blood-bath", the source said.
The age-long crisis between the two communities became tensed, coupled with fierce violence unleashed on February 6, 2021, when Supare community allegedly issued eviction notice to other farmers on their farm land, asking the alleged tenants to obtain an identification form.
But a local said the Oka farmers claimed that their progenitors procured the farm lands legally, hence there was no need to obtain form.
Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa had on April 7th, 2021 received on behalf of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, leaders of the Communities as he held a peace meeting with them at the Cocoa Conference hall, Governor's office, Akure.
The acting Governor was said to have placated both parties at the meeting.
The protest at the Council reverberated again at Supare junction in Akungba, as unidentified farmers took to the street to protest over the communal crisis.
Similarly, same farmers had blocked the junction on Sunday.
It took the swift intervention of Akungba monarch, Oba Sunday Adeyeye, who rushed to the scene of the to reconcile warring factions and the road was later opened on the instruction of the Monarch.
Oba. Adeyeye who is the Chief Mediator of the crisis, adding that some elements were plotting violence.
Contrary to wild speculation, Alale stated that farmers were not evicted, maintaining that the identification form was designed to ensure security and safety of farmers, saying that the rationale behind the form was to avert unlawful encroachment.
He further affirmed that over 300 farmers have obtained the form.
Our correspondent was privy to the Supare's identification form titled: 'Registration of tenants on Supare farmland'.
Part of the form reads: "On no account should any tenants sell or resell any portion of his/her land without approval of the town council"
"Tenants should seek the approval of the Town Council before erecting structure(s) in any of the camps in Supare"
Confirming the tough protest at the Local Government, Hon. Oloruntogbe said that "the said people came to the Local Government to protest for the third time today and they decided to enter the council to fish out indigenes of Supare from their respective offices"
"But I vehemently resisted," the council boss said.
When contacted the Police Public Relations officer of the State, Leo Tee Ikoro, said the blocked road has been opened by the police.
Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has set up a fact-finding committee to inquire into the the immediate and remote causes of the dispute with a view to finding a permanent resolution to the matter.
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