Residents of six local government areas in Ibadan, Oyo State, have expressed strong opposition to the state government’s plan to acquire an additional 850 metres of land for the ongoing construction of the Ibadan Circular Road.
The affected communities, drawn from Ido, Oluyole, Akinyele, Lagelu, Egbeda, and Ona Ara Local Government Areas, described the move as an attempt to displace thousands of people living along the project corridor.
Speaking at a press briefing in Ibadan, spokesperson for the residents, Mr. Olutayo Oladosu, urged the government to adhere strictly to the 150-metre setback earlier designated for the road construction.
Oladosu disclosed that the communities had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government to revisit and resolve the matter in the interest of peace and fairness.
He warned that any extension of the road beyond 75 metres on both sides would have devastating effects on many homeowners and residents, potentially rendering several families homeless.
The residents also appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to intervene and prevail on the state government to halt the planned expansion.
Present at the media briefing were several Baales (community heads), landlords, and landowners from the affected areas who pledged to continue pressing for dialogue with the government.
