The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, has placed a total ban on the activities of Omo Onile — individuals who harass and extort land developers across Ijesaland, Osun State.
The monarch made the announcement at the Obokungbusi Hall in Ilesa during the inauguration of the Ijesa Development Fund, a new initiative aimed at promoting infrastructural and social development in the region.
Oba Haastrup expressed deep concern over the growing menace of land grabbers, saying their illegal activities were discouraging genuine investors and slowing down development in Ijesaland.
“The time has come to put an end to this disgraceful practice. Any person posing as Omo Onile to extort money or cause disruption to genuine developers must be stopped and made to face the law,” the monarch said.
He directed all residents to apprehend and report anyone involved in land grabbing to the appropriate authorities for immediate prosecution.
The royal father described the activities of Omo Onile as an embarrassment to the image of Ijesaland, noting that peace, discipline, and the rule of law were necessary for the region to achieve meaningful growth.
“Development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of intimidation or lawlessness. We must ensure that our communities remain safe and welcoming for investors,” he added.
Oba Haastrup called on all Obas, Chiefs, and community leaders within Ijesaland to unite and support the directive to permanently eradicate land grabbing in the area. He said the measure was not only to protect developers but also to promote unity and progress among the Ijesa people.
The monarch highlighted that the development of Ijesaland remains his top priority, stressing that the Ijesa Development Fund was created to fast-track key projects in education, infrastructure, health, and community welfare.
He urged indigenes of Ijesaland at home and abroad to contribute to the fund, assuring that transparency and accountability would guide its management.
“Our goal is to restore the lost glory of Ijesaland. Through collective effort and adherence to the rule of law, we can make our land a model of peace and prosperity,” Oba Haastrup said.
The Owa Obokun reaffirmed his commitment to working with traditional and government institutions to make Ijesaland a secure and investor-friendly environment.
