The situation escalated when Mrs. Bosede Ogunowo, who travelled to Akure on April 29 to secure Akinurun’s release, was also detained. Shortly thereafter, Comrade Orimisan Adelokiki—coordinator with the Ikale Supreme Civil Rights Initiative (ISCRI) and a vocal supporter of land rights in the region—was arrested while intervening in the case.
The Ondo State chapter of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement has strongly condemned what it describes as the “continuous unlawful arrest, detention, and victimisation” of innocent citizens by the Nigeria Police Force, reportedly acting under the directives of Mr. Adewole Taiwo, Managing Director of Okitipupa Oil Palm Company (OOPC).
In a statement, Take It Back Movement decried the recent arrests of three individuals—Mrs. Racheal Akinurun, Mrs. Bosede Ogunowo, and Comrade Orimisan Adelokiki—who are being targeted for their advocacy and involvement in an ongoing land dispute in the Ikoya community, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to the statement, Mrs. Akinurun was deceitfully lured by a soldier who is said to be from the Okitipupa Army Barracks under the pretense of a peaceful conversation on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Upon arrival, she was reportedly handed over to operatives of the Anti-SWAT unit of the Nigeria Police Force and transferred to Akure without explanation.
“Mrs. Racheal Akinurun personally narrated to our TIB Comrade how she was arrested by a soldier from Okitipupa Barracks under false pretenses and delivered to the police, who then transported her to Akure. It was only upon arrival that she was told she would not be released unless her husband was presented,” the statement read.
The situation escalated when Mrs. Bosede Ogunowo, who travelled to Akure on April 29 to secure Akinurun’s release, was also detained. Shortly thereafter, Comrade Orimisan Adelokiki—coordinator with the Ikale Supreme Civil Rights Initiative (ISCRI) and a vocal supporter of land rights in the region—was arrested while intervening in the case.
The TIB Movement has condemned the arrests as coordinated acts of repression, orchestrated by Mr. Adewole Taiwo in retaliation against community members and activists resisting unlawful land occupation by OOPC.
“These actions are clearly aimed at silencing dissenting voices, intimidating land rights advocates, and suppressing community resistance,” the TIB statement declared. “This is an unacceptable abuse of power.”
Under mounting pressure from civil society and public outrage, the police arraigned the three individuals on April 30. However, the TIB Movement described the charges against them—including the alleged use of charms—as “baseless” and politically motivated.
Despite appearing in court, the judge denied bail and adjourned the case to May 14, 2025.
Reacting to the development, the TIB described the continued detention as a grave injustice. “This is not just a legal issue—it is an outright assault on the rights of our people,” the statement asserted. “We will not stand idly by while innocent citizens are targeted and detained without cause.”
The arrests are unfolding in the aftermath of a Supreme Court judgment that ruled in favor of the Konye family, recognized as the rightful owners of the disputed land in the Ikoya area. The ruling invalidated OOPC’s claim to the land, prompting the community to serve a quit notice to the company’s management—a move believed to have provoked the recent wave of arrests and intimidation.
In a media chat, Patrick Anongute, Coordinator of the TIB Movement in Ondo State, confirmed that the group had led a protest alongside aggrieved landowners in Ikoya. He also disclosed a recent development suggesting that the Ondo State Governor may have intervened.
“Personally, I’m following the case closely,” Anongute stated. “I overheard just yesterday that the Governor has directed the Attorney General to file their bail application and ensure their unconditional release.”
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