Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has received the gift of a live crocodile from Sangotedo community in Eti-Osa Local government area of Lagos State. It was donated to him in appreciation for helping the indigenes against a land grabbing syndicate.
Obasanjo visited the area to ascertain report of alleged encroachment on the community’s land. It was gathered that the community had been under incessant attacks by suspected land grabbing syndicate.
A live gagged crocodile was presented to Obasanjo as sign of appreciation by one of the affected areas during the visit. Some parts of the land belong to the former President but the syndicate, said to be having the backing of powers that be in the state, had been encroaching on it with claim of ownership in the last 10 years. The representative of the former President, Prince Adebayo Eniola, who received Obasanjo’s entourage said: “The coming has doused tension, as you can see with the large turnout of residents here waiting to see the real owner of this land. Let me quickly tell you that the land was purchased about 40-50years ago from the original land owners, who incidentally are also relations of Baba. “The acquired areas started from Egan Mopo kekere, Egan Mopo Nla (Akinlade), Ogonbo (Asorobi family) to Toromade (Akinlolu family) sharing boundary with Okun Ajah all between Ibeju Lekki and Eti-Osa local governments. The records were there. “But when development started spreading towards here (Ibeju-Lekki) and this was just about 10-15 years ago, we started seeing some people bringing buyers, with claim that they are from the powers that be in Lagos Island. To make matters worse, anytime they wanted to come and encroach on the land, they will come with large presence of armed Policemen, shooting sporadically to scare people. “This has been creating fears and tension in the residents. I reported the matter to Baba and he assured that he will personally come. So, I informed everybody, that is why you see this crowd.”
Eniola, who is also the Olu of Moyopa land said that with Obasanjo’s visit, “my people here will have rest of mind from incessant harassment of these powerful land grabbers.”
