Background of the Displacement
Chairman of the Afero Commercial Farmers Association, Prince Wale Orekoya, shared his experiences with GRACE EDEMA regarding the displacement of over 50 farmers from their 1,000 hectares of land in Afero, Itoikin community, within the Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. The land had been allocated to them by the Lagos State Government. This incident has raised serious concerns about the impact on food security and livelihoods.
Initial Allocation and Relocation
Initially, the farmers believed that the government was using their farmland for the Lagos State International Airport project, which seemed to prioritize public interest over their rights as law-abiding citizens and commercial farmers. At the time, the Lagos State Government took over the expanse of land, which the farmers occupied about 1,000 hectares. Orekoya personally had about 150 acres where he engaged in livestock and crop farming. Some of the farmers had already planted oil palm trees that were nearing maturity.
When the government approached them, promising relocation and compensation, they accepted the offer. They were relocated and continued their farming activities for about eight years. However, recently, the military claimed ownership of the land, leading to chaos, shooting, and the loss of many animals. The Lagos State Government officials were denied access by the military, highlighting the determination of the military to take over the land.
Recent Incident and Escalation
The incident occurred in December 2023, when the military suddenly invaded the farm, causing panic among the workers. Orekoya was not present at the time, but he received a call from one of his workers informing him about the invasion. Upon returning the next day, he met with Brigadier General Ememe, who denied any business with the farmers and directed them to the Minister of Defence in Abuja.
Despite multiple attempts to seek resolution, the military refused to cooperate, insisting that the Lagos State Government should be responsible for any compensation. This led to a peaceful protest, including a rally in February 2024 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, where the lawmakers blamed the government for failing to carry out due diligence before allocating the land.
Legal and Financial Implications
The farmers also approached the Multi-Door Courthouse, but the Lagos State Government did not cooperate, leading to the case being dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution. The situation has taken a toll on the farmers, with two members losing their lives due to the hardship caused by this crisis. Some others are currently abroad receiving medical treatment.
With the elections approaching, the farmers held a press conference to appeal to the Lagos State Government, especially Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to address their plight, show compassion, compensate them, and allocate another piece of land. They estimate their losses at over N3bn, covering all the farmers involved.
Ongoing Struggles and Future Appeals
Since 2023, nothing has been done on the land, which remains fenced off and unused. Recently, the military attempted to negotiate with the farmers, suggesting temporary operations until they needed the land again. However, the farmers rejected this idea, as it lacked guarantees and security.
The Lagos State Government has set up a committee headed by the Attorney General, Lawal Pedro, which made recommendations six months ago. However, the governor has yet to review or act on the report. The farmers remain hopeful that the governor will intervene, show compassion, and facilitate their relocation to another piece of land.
Broader Implications for Food Security
The displacement of farmers has significant implications for food security in Nigeria, where food inflation is already at about 35 to 40 per cent. When farmers are displaced, it reduces food production, affecting supply and livelihoods. Many farmers took loans to run their farms, and now banks are threatening to seize the properties used as collateral.
The farmers believe that the current administration should resolve their situation before leaving office, as it was under this same administration that the demolition and displacement occurred. They emphasize that it is only right for this government to address the matter before a new administration takes over.
Historical Context and Repeated Challenges
This is actually the second time the farmers have faced similar challenges. The first time was when the government said it wanted to use the land for an international airport project, but nothing has been done on that site over 10 years later. The instability caused by repeated displacements discourages investment and productivity, negatively impacting the economy.
The farmers hope that the Lagos State Government will take urgent action to resolve their situation, ensuring that their efforts and investments are not in vain. They believe that it is essential to address these issues promptly to prevent further disruptions to food security and livelihoods.
