BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
A Muslim group, Osun Coalition of Muslims for Justice, on Tuesday protested alleged attempt by the Area Manager of Railway Property Management Company Limited, Mr. Innocent Agbaji and a pastor, Solomon Bukola to hijack a piece of land that the railway corporation allocated to it for use as Eid prayer ground.
Speaking during the protest on the railway setback at Oke-Onitea area of Osogbo, capital of the state, the group’s lawyer, Qaasim Odedeji, accused Agbaji of colluding with Bukola to dispossess the Muslim community of the piece of land which was allocated to it in 2015.
The protesting Muslims who carried placards with varying inscriptions, alleged that Pastor Bukola was already making plans to build some structures on the railway setback. They said the land was allocated to them temporarily by the Nigerian Railway Corporation but Agbaji has been making efforts to send them parking.
“We are here to inform you about a dangerous attempt of some people in collaboration with the officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation Osogbo under the leadership of one Mr. Innocent Agbaji to convert a piece of land already granted to the Muslim Community for use as a Muslim prayer ground for the use of Pastor Solomon.
“It needs to be stated that, in 2015, the Nigeria Railway Corporation granted the Muslim Community of Bushrah Mosque No.9, Oriade Anifowoshe Street, Oke-Onitea Area, Osogbo a piece of land for their use as Muslim Eid Prayer ground with only a condition that no permanent structure should be built on it.
“Since then, the Muslim community has continued the use of the land for the purpose for which it was granted and abiding with the condition attached. However surprisingly, and in an attempt capable of causing serious religious unrest, some people in collaboration with the officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation are using clandestine and illegal means for their pecuniary interest, are trying to hijack the piece of land from the Muslim community and give same to one Pastor Bukola Solomon who is known to have encroached on many other piece of lands around Oke-Onitea, Railway setback, Osogbo building permanent structures on them.
“We, therefore, want to call on all stakeholders and lovers of peace to call Mr Innocent Agbaji and his friend Pastor Bukola Solomon to order in the interest of peace,” Odedeji said.
Meanwhile, when contacted for reaction on the telephone, Agbaji said that the land was allocated to one Lateef Oriade (on behalf of the Muslim community) and Bukola by his predecessor but noted that he revoked the land owing to threat of life to the staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
A letter dated February 22, 2022 and addressed to one Mr Lateef Oriade, revealed that the corporation, through Agbai, had issued six months notice of revocation to the Muslim community through Oriade.
Entitled: “Six Months Notice of Revocation on Railway Land Between Km 296 +5-6 Poles, GB – DLG Section, Bush Side, Osogbo, Osun State,” the letter issued by Agbaji read, “With reference to the above subject matter, your occupation of Railway land has become a threat of life to the staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Staff of the Nigerian Railway Police, Osogbo Division, as well as staff of Railway Property Management Co. Ltd.
“Also, it has been reported to the management of your incessant disagreement with Railway Property Management Co. Ltd as regards occupation/allocation of Railway land by other temporary allottee within the same location thereby challenging your landlord with reference to series of cases reported at the Nigerian Police, Zone 11, Osun State Capital Territory Development Agency etc, violating the terms and conditions governing Nigerian Railway Corporation land.
“It’s in the light of the above that I am directed to notify you of a six month revocation notice from the date of this letter. Therefore, you are requested to make the land free of debris, remove any temporary attachment to the land.”
When contacted for reaction, Pastor Bukola confirmed that he is one of the allotees of the railway land but debunked allegation that he was planning to erect structure on it.
Bukola said, “I am one of the people that the railway setback was allotted to. It’s not true that I want to build on the land. Why should I do that when I know it’s a temporary allocation of which the Railway Corporation has the right to revoke at any time. All these allegations are not true.”
