A meeting between the Oyo State Government and residents from six local government areas over the Ibadan Circular Road project turned chaotic on Friday.
The meeting, held at the Idi-Ope, Kobe end of the project site, was disrupted when hoodlums arrived, chased away government officials, and damaged two vehicles.
The unrest came amid disputes over the government’s plan to create a 500-metre development corridor for the project.
Witnesses said the hoodlums threw stones and sachet water at people during the disturbance.
Before the meeting was interrupted, the Executive Administrator of the Oyo State New Town and Cities Development Authority, Mrs. Mofoluke Adeniyi, explained that only houses within 150 metres of the road would be demolished.
She added that structures within the wider 500-metre zone would not be pulled down, but there would be restrictions on new development.
“We are not saying houses within the 500-metre corridor will be demolished. But we need to ensure proper planning and development.
“Any house within 150 metres will be demolished, and we’ll be numbering houses to determine the properties affected,” Adeniyi said.
Many residents strongly opposed the plan, warning that it could cause displacement and economic hardship.
They insisted the government should stick to the original 150-metre corridor already marked.
“This is too much. Many people have suffered badly because of the 150-metre plan.
“We appeal to the government to consider us and not take beyond the marked areas.
“This affects more than 400,000 houses and over one million people in Oluyole, Ona Ara, Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele, and Ido local governments,” said Ismail Abimbola, one of those affected.
The meeting ended without a clear resolution, but both sides agreed to form a joint committee to address the matter.
Niyi Fasuyi, a coordinator for the affected areas, claimed the hoodlums were not locals and may have been sponsored by unknown parties.
The Ibadan Circular Road project, first proposed in 2003, is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and boosting economic growth in the region.
