HAVOC CAUSED BY OMO ONILE (LAND GRABBERS)
The issue of Omo Onile, commonly known as land grabbers, has become a major challenge in Nigeria’s land and property sector.
The term “Omo Onile” originates from the Yoruba language and literally means “children of the land.”
Traditionally, it referred to families who inherited land from their ancestors. However, in modern times the term has taken on a negative meaning,
as many individuals and groups now use it to extort money, intimidate land buyers, and create conflicts over land ownership.
The activities of Omo Onile are particularly common in southwestern Nigeria, especially in urban areas where land values are high.
Their actions have caused serious economic, social, and legal problems for individuals, developers, and the government.
1. Multiple Sales of Land
One of the most common problems associated with Omo Onile is the multiple sale of a single piece of land.
A family or group may sell the same land to several buyers at different times.
When construction begins, another group may appear claiming ownership of the same land and demand payment from the new owner.
This situation often leads to disputes, court cases, and sometimes violent clashes between the parties involved.
Many innocent buyers lose their life savings because they unknowingly purchased land that had already been sold to someone else.
2. Illegal Levies and Extortion
Omo Onile are notorious for imposing numerous illegal fees on landowners and property developers.
Even after land has been legally purchased, these groups often demand payments before construction can proceed.
- Foundation fee
- Fencing fee
- Roofing fee
- Development levy
- Community settlement fee
Failure to pay these levies often results in harassment, disruption of construction work, or destruction of property.
3. Harassment and Violence
Another serious havoc caused by Omo Onile is the use of intimidation and violence.
They sometimes hire thugs to threaten landowners, builders, and construction workers.
In extreme cases, physical assaults, kidnapping, and even loss of lives have been reported in disputes involving land ownership.
These actions create fear and insecurity within communities and discourage people from investing in land and property development.
4. Demolition of Buildings
In some cases, houses that are already under construction or even fully completed are demolished by land grabbers who claim the land belongs to their family.
They often demand large sums of money before allowing the property owner to continue construction.
This practice causes huge financial losses to victims and increases the cost of housing in many Nigerian cities.
5. Negative Impact on Real Estate Development
The activities of Omo Onile have slowed down real estate development in Nigeria.
Investors and property developers are often reluctant to invest in areas where land disputes are common.
This situation contributes to the shortage of housing and increases the price of land and rent in urban areas.
6. Government Efforts to Control Land Grabbing
In response to the growing menace of land grabbing, some state governments have introduced laws to protect landowners and punish offenders.
These laws aim to prevent illegal occupation of land, multiple sales, and extortion by land grabbers.
However, enforcement remains a challenge, and more efforts are required to strengthen land administration and protect property rights in Nigeria.
Conclusion
The havoc caused by Omo Onile in Nigeria remains a serious problem affecting individuals, developers, and the economy.
Their activities lead to land disputes, financial losses, and insecurity in the property market.
Addressing this issue requires stronger land documentation systems, effective law enforcement, and increased public awareness
to ensure that land transactions are conducted legally and transparently.
