Hoodlums Disrupt Meeting as Residents Reject Oyo Government’s 500-Meter Corridor for Circular Road

A meeting between residents from six local government areas impacted by the ongoing construction of the Ibadan Circular Road project and state government representatives concluded in a stalemate on Friday.

Held at the Idi-ope, Kobe section of the project in Akinyele local government, the meeting failed to reach a resolution due to the intervention of hoodlums who disrupted the proceedings. They chased away state government representatives, led by the Executive Administrator of the Oyo State New Town and Cities Development Authority, Foluwake Adeniyi, and caused damage to two vehicles.

Prior to the disruption, the Executive Administrator clarified that only houses within 150 meters of the road would face demolition. She emphasized that structures within 500 meters of the project would remain intact.

“The corridor for the project has consistently been set at 500 meters on either side. This has always been documented with the Ministry of Land.

However, this does not imply that homes within 500 meters will be demolished,” she explained.

“The government established a new agency to ensure meticulous planning for state development. If a 500-meter corridor is designated, it does not mean the houses within it will be removed; it means the government will find a method to manage it.

However, any house within 150 meters will be demolished,” she elaborated.

“We are numbering houses to ascertain the number within the corridor for planning purposes.

Those with Certificates of Occupancy will need to obtain new documents.

“A circular road requires a corridor, but this does not preclude habitation. Areas with existing clusters of houses will remain unaffected. Roads have a designated right of way, and construction within that space is prohibited.

“We will also form a committee with representatives from the affected communities to foster collaboration. Ultimately, you will appreciate the development and progress brought by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration through the circular road,” she added.

Despite these assurances, the government representatives’ explanations failed to appease residents from the affected communities, who vocally criticized the Seyi Makinde administration.

This discontent culminated in an attack by certain attendees at the meeting. However, one of the local government coordinators, Niyi Fasuyi, asserted that the attackers were hoodlums dispatched by unknown entities.

“Certain hoodlums arrived uninvited. They are not affiliated with us. We are unaware of who summoned them. Reports indicate they vandalized a government vehicle and ours as well.

“They possess no property along the circular road. Their sponsors remain unknown to us. They were the ones responsible for disrupting this meeting.

“The outcome of today’s assembly is the establishment of a committee comprising both government officials and community residents,” he explained.