NAN Workers Raise Alarm Over Alleged Encroachment on 35-Acre Housing Estate
Ibadan, Oyo State – Staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) have petitioned the Oyo State Real Property Protection Agency over the alleged invasion of their landed properties in Ibadan by suspected land speculators.
In a petition dated Dec. 11, 2025, and written by their solicitor, Ademola Sodamade, the employees accused the alleged invaders of breach of peace, threat to life and malicious destruction of property.
The petition named Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Mrs Oluwamayowa Ayinde and Mr Adewale Owoade among the landowners affected by the alleged encroachment.
According to the petition, the staff members purchased 35 acres of land located at Butubutu Village in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State between 2013 and 2014. After completing the purchase process, the land was partitioned and sold to various individuals, the majority of whom are staff of NAN’s Ibadan Zonal Office.
The employees alleged that some land speculators, reportedly led by one Mr Kazim, popularly known as Abija, forcefully entered the property without authorisation. They claimed that the alleged invaders removed beacons and signposts placed on the land and destroyed some of the pillars, allegedly with the intention of reselling the property.
The petition further alleged that the said Mr Kazim, described as the Mogaji of Ile Aje in Ode-Aje, Ibadan, threatened violence against anyone who attempted to stop the activities on the land.
“He removed and carted away some of the signposts and destroyed some of the pillars on the land with a view to selling it to certain individuals. He threatened to kill anybody who dared to stop him from carrying out his plans on the sale of the land,” the petition stated.
The affected staff appealed to the Oyo State Real Property Protection Agency to intervene urgently and halt the alleged illegal activities on the property.
Copies of the petition, along with documents including purchase agreements, land survey plans, photographs and other relevant materials, were also submitted to the Olubadan Committee on Land Grabbing, the Office of the Deputy Governor, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Oyo State Governor, among others.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the NAN Housing Estates Scheme, Ibadan Zonal Office, Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, explained that the housing project was initiated as a cooperative effort among staff members who had been contributing monthly since 2013 to enable them to own property.
“It is very sad and disturbing that some hoodlums, under the guise of working for the state government, can forcefully encroach on the land, destroy farm produce, remove beacons and signposts installed there, and threaten to kill and maim any of us found on the site,” Balogun said.
He called on the relevant authorities to ensure justice and protect the lawful owners of the property.
Signed:
Abdur-Rahman Balogun
Chairman, NAN Housing Estates Scheme, Ibadan.
