IBADAN Staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have petitioned the Oyo State Real Property Protection Agency over the alleged invasion and destruction of their landed property in Ibadan.
In a petition dated December 11, 2025, and written through their solicitor, Ademola Sodamade, the workers accused some land speculators of breaching the peace, issuing threats to life, and destroying property on the site.
The petition listed Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Mrs. Oluwamayowa Ayinde and Mr. Adewale Owoade as the registered owners of the land.
According to the document, the group purchased 35 acres of land at Butubutu Village in Ona-Ara Local Government Area between 2013 and 2014. They said the land was later partitioned and allocated to different individuals, most of whom are staff members of the NAN Ibadan office.
The petition alleged that a man identified as Mr. Kazim, popularly known as “Abija” and described as the Mogaji of Ile Aje in Ode-Aje, Ibadan, forcibly entered the property months ago.
It further stated that he removed beacons and signposts on the land, destroyed boundary pillars, and attempted to resell portions of the property to other persons. The workers also accused him of threatening to kill anyone who tried to stop the alleged encroachment.
The NAN staff urged the state agency to intervene and halt further alleged illegal activities on the land. Copies of the petition, along with purchase agreements, survey documents, photographs, and other supporting materials, were submitted to the Olubadan Committee on Land Grabbing, the Office of the Deputy Governor, and the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Balogun, Chairman of the NAN Housing Scheme at the Ibadan Zonal Office, said the property was acquired through a cooperative arrangement funded by staff monthly contributions since 2013.
He described the alleged invasion as disturbing, claiming that the intruders destroyed farm produce, removed boundary markings, and issued threats against members of the scheme.
