The Oyo State Government has denied demolishing a property belonging to former deputy governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, describing the claim as false.
The Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, refuted the allegation on Wednesday in Ibadan.
He said ministry officials only removed a fence on an undeveloped land after it blocked a service road linking the community to the expressway.
Akin-Funmilayo spoke during an on-the-spot assessment of the property at Temidire Zone 1, along the Bodija/Ojoo Expressway, Ibadan.
He said officials served Olaniyan a notice to remove the illegal structure following complaints by residents affected by the blockage.
The commissioner said government would not tolerate unlawful acts capable of disrupting the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed by residents.
He described online reports claiming the government destroyed Olaniyan’s property as “untrue and misleading”.
“I instructed the removal of illegal structures inhibiting smooth traffic and vehicle passage within this neighbourhood.
“When I heard claims the former deputy governor’s property was demolished, I knew my officials would not act without authorisation.
“To confirm, I visited the site. There is no structure on the land being claimed,” the commissioner said.
He explained that only road construction equipment was found on the undeveloped land, questioning claims of demolition.
“The removed structures were blocking free vehicular movement for residents of this neighbourhood,” he said.
Akin-Funmilayo said surveys showed the area was designated as a road, which property owners had illegally blocked.
“We will not accept actions that deny residents access to their land. We are ensuring peaceful cohabitation in Oyo State,” he said.
