The Oyo State Housing Corporation has issued a stern warning to allottees of undeveloped plots in Owode Housing Estate Phase II, Apata, Ibadan, following a fact-finding mission prompted by alarming reports of insecurity, violent attacks, and criminal activities in the area.
The intervention came after residents sent out a distress call, lamenting that the vast undeveloped portions of the estate, now overrun by thick forests have become a hideout for criminals terrorizing the community.
Addressing journalists after inspecting the estate on Friday, Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Hon. Demola Omotosho, expressed shock that nearly 50 years after Owode Phase II was created, only about 20% of the land has been developed.
He revealed that the estate contains nearly 1,000 hectares of undeveloped plots, which have now become hotspots for burglary, rape, armed robbery and violent attacks.
A recent incident involving the brutal assault of a 76-year-old resident triggered renewed outrage and compelled the Corporation to intervene.
Omotosho announced that the government is now set to revoke all undeveloped plots in the estate, citing the clear provisions of the Oyo State Housing Corporation Law of 2001, which states that any plot not developed within two years, or not fully paid for within 12 months, stands automatically revoked.
“These persons whose lands we are revoking have held our allocation papers for years—some for 25 years or more,” Omotosho said.
“When they were taking this land, they knew that if they refused to develop it within two years, it would be revoked. So we are not revoking the land—the law is.”
He warned that the Corporation would not allow allottees to hoard land “as souvenirs” at the expense of residents’ safety.
To restore safety, the Corporation plans to transform Owode Phase II into a full residential district through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Omotosho also announced major security and infrastructure upgrades, including: Establishment of a Police Post; Siting of an Amotekun Security Base; Installation of solar-powered streetlights across the estate; Comprehensive development rollout between now and June 2026.
He added that similar housing and security interventions are ongoing at Ajoda New Town, where the first batch of 1,000 housing units will be delivered by June next year.
