Oyo State Government, through the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), has issued a 14-day ultimatum to owners and occupants of illegal structures, including shanties, kiosks, stalls, and ram-selling points, located around the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
The directive, which takes effect from Tuesday, requires all affected persons to vacate the area and remove every unlawful structure within the stipulated period.
According to OYRLEA, the action followed the discovery of numerous makeshift structures erected along the stadium walls and adjoining corridors, stretching from Liberty Road Junction through Jogor Centre to the High Court Roundabout on Ring Road.
The Authority described the encroachments as a public nuisance that poses serious security risks, obstructs urban order, and contributes to environmental degradation around one of the state’s key public assets.
Speaking on the enforcement exercise, the Chairperson of OYRLEA, Honourable Justice Aderonke Aderemi (Rtd.), said the operation was carried out on the directive of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who has expressed strong disapproval of the illegal developments.
She stressed that OYRLEA remains committed to restoring order, protecting public infrastructure, and ensuring environmental cleanliness around the stadium and across the state.
The joint operation was led by the Chairman of the Environmental Task Force, DCP Francis Ojomo (Rtd.), and the Chief of Staff to the Chairperson of OYRLEA, Iyabode Akinbode, Esq., with support from officers of the Authority, operatives of the Amotekun Corps, personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, and officials of the Environmental Task Force.
The Authority reiterated that compliance within the 14-day window is mandatory, warning that failure to vacate the area and dismantle all illegal structures would attract appropriate enforcement actions in line with the law.
OYRLEA reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to safeguarding its heritage assets and maintaining a clean, orderly and lawful environment across Oyo State.
