Satguru Maharaj Ji, the founder of the One Love Family, has raised a strong alarm over the continued encroachment on his village land by suspected land grabbers.
Maharaj Ji, in a statement he personally signed and which The Meteor obtained on Saturday, condemned the actions of individuals attempting to illegally acquire large portions of land in Satguru Maharaj Ji Village, located on the outskirts of Ibadan, Oyo State.
He stated that this was not the first time such attempts had been made. In fact, it is an ongoing issue that has prompted court actions to address the land grabbing.
“After several failed attempts, these land grabbers are once again targeting Satguru Maharaj Ji Village,” he said. “We have already taken legal action to stop them, and the case is currently being handled by the court.”
Maharaj Ji went further to describe the actions of the land grabbers as criminal, stating that they are using violence and intimidation to forcefully take the land from his village.
He singled out a woman based in Abuja and a man from the same city as the main individuals behind the illegal land grabbing activities. According to Maharaj Ji, the woman demonstrated “outright contempt for the law” during the most recent attack on the land.
The One Love Family leader expressed his concerns that this woman did not just appear out of nowhere, but likely has a background in the Nigerian society that needs to be addressed. He called for decisive government intervention to put an end to the criminal behavior of these land grabbers.
“I am calling on the government to arrest the woman and her accomplices and make sure they stay away from Satguru Maharaj Ji Village,” Maharaj Ji demanded. “It is not just about the land; this is a matter of justice and fairness.”
The accusations against the land grabbers include using violence and intimidation to force their way onto the land, which Maharaj Ji insists is an owner-occupied property.
Maharaj Ji also appealed to the family of the woman involved to take action before her actions lead to even more destruction. He stated that no one should support land grabbers or criminals attempting to bully people out of their rightful property.
“These land grabbers have no right to take over what belongs to others. This is a serious issue, and it must be addressed,” he emphasized.
In his statement, Maharaj Ji also called on both the Oyo State Government and the Federal Government to take urgent steps to curb the rise of land grabbing in the country. He pointed out that land grabbing, which often involves violence and illegal tactics, is a form of terrorism that should not be tolerated.
“I urge the Oyo State Government to arrest these land grabbers and take immediate action to stop them from continuing their unlawful activities,” he said. “The Federal Government must also approve a law to combat land grabbing across Nigeria.”
He went on to say that it was imperative for the authorities to ensure that land grabbers face stiff penalties, and that the act of land grabbing should no longer be seen as something that can be easily overlooked.
“There should be strict punishment for those involved in land grabbing. It is a crime that should not be allowed to thrive in our society,” Maharaj Ji said. “Land grabbing is not just an attack on individual property; it is an attack on the integrity and dignity of our communities.”
The controversial issue of land grabbing has been a long-standing challenge in Nigeria, with numerous cases involving wealthy individuals and even government officials exploiting their power and resources to take over land that does not belong to them.
According to experts, land grabbing often leads to displacement of families, destruction of property, and sometimes even violence. The situation in Satguru Maharaj Ji Village is no different, with members of the community fearing that their homes and businesses are under threat.
The problem of land grabbing is widespread in Nigeria, with some state governments and local communities taking steps to curb it. However, the lack of a national law specifically targeting land grabbing has led to inconsistent enforcement of property rights.
In light of this, Satguru Maharaj Ji is calling for an urgent response from the authorities to address the issue and protect individuals and families whose lands are being unlawfully taken.
Maharaj Ji’s call for stricter laws against land grabbing is echoed by many community leaders who believe that the practice undermines the rule of law and destabilizes local economies.
“We need a system that respects property rights and guarantees that people can live in peace without the fear of losing their land to criminals,” he said.
The One Love Family leader also noted that, beyond the immediate issue of land grabbing, there needs to be a broader discussion on the protection of community property, especially in rural areas where resources are often scarce and valuable.
“We must have a system that ensures justice for everyone, including those in rural communities who are often the targets of land grabbers,” he concluded.
