Tension mounted in Osogbo on Tuesday as residents of Ilupeju community publicly appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke to halt moves they believe could cut off their neighbourhood from the rest of the city.
The appeal followed concerns over an alleged plan by the Osun State Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning to block what residents described as the only access road serving the community.
Dozens of residents gathered along the disputed route in a peaceful demonstration, displaying placards bearing messages such as “Save Ilupeju and Shittu Estate from Isolation” and “Our Road, Our Right”.
Community leaders said the protest became necessary after efforts to resolve the matter through dialogue with state government officials failed to yield a clear outcome.
Speaking for the residents, legal representative Taiwo Ajibola explained that the access road had served thousands of people for years and warned that its closure could create safety risks.
“We have about 3,000 houses here with more than 4,000 inhabitants. Blocking this road will create serious security and emergency challenges for everyone,” Ajibola said.
He stated that during earlier engagements with ministry officials, the community was informed that the road corridor formed part of a parcel of land allegedly belonging to an undisclosed individual.
Ajibola also disclosed that while discussions were ongoing in March 2025, a revocation notice was later observed on the land, raising new questions among homeowners about its status.
“After the revocation, the community applied for the land to be officially allotted to us so we could regularise the access road. We later discovered that it had been reallocated to another party without our knowledge,” he added.
According to him, petitions have been submitted to both the state government and the police authorities, with residents urging immediate intervention to prevent escalation.
Supporting the residents’ position, Abdulrahim Iderawumi, who represented the family said to have historical ties to the land, maintained that the route had long functioned as the recognised entry point to Ilupeju community.
“This has been the access road from time immemorial. People living here have no alternative route. We are appealing to Governor Adeleke to step in and ensure peace,” Iderawumi said.
Residents said they would await the outcome of the government’s promised intervention while maintaining their call for uninterrupted access to their community.
In response, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, George Alabi, stated that a structure had been developed on land originally designated for access, and described the currently used road as unauthorised.
Alabi, however, indicated that efforts were underway to resolve the impasse, noting that he had visited the area to assess the situation firsthand.
“After inspecting the roads shown to me, I assured the community that the ministry will find a way to create access so that there will be harmony between Ilupeju Community and the neighbouring GRA residents,” the commissioner said.