The Executive Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government, Ambassador Kehinde Adeyemi Akande, has denied allegations that he ordered the unlawful bulldozing and forceful takeover of land belonging to the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Ibadan.
In a statement issued by the Head of Information Unit and Public Relations Officer of the council, Oyekunbi Adediran, the local government described the publication circulating on various media platforms as false, misleading, malicious and a deliberate attempt to tarnish the chairman’s reputation.
The statement maintained that Hon. Akande never embarked on any land grabbing exercise or authorised the illegal acquisition of any property belonging to the Federal Government or any institution, stressing that he remains a law-abiding public office holder who respects the Constitution, the rule of law and due process.
According to the council, the operation carried out at Odo-Ona, Apata, was strictly a security intervention aimed at addressing persistent complaints from residents about criminal activities allegedly taking place in the area.
The local government said reports indicated that the location had become a hideout for hoodlums involved in vandalism of public infrastructure, theft of electricity cables, destruction of water pipelines, robbery, burglary, rape and other criminal activities threatening the peace and security of the community.
It added that the exercise was undertaken in collaboration with the police and local vigilante agencies after repeated appeals from community leaders and residents, and that the clearing of illegal structures was solely for public safety and not to dispossess any lawful landowner or interfere with any Federal Government project.
The chairman also reassured the management of the National Cereals Research Institute, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, development partners and the general public that his administration has high regard for Federal Government institutions and remains committed to supporting agricultural development, food security and economic growth.
While urging the public to disregard the alleged false narrative, the council stated that any genuine concerns regarding the exercise should be addressed through appropriate communication and legal channels rather than sensational publications, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining peace and security and delivering democratic dividends in accordance with the law.
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