Ondo Leprosarium Inmates Stage Protest Over Relocation Order says decision ‘inhumane’

Inmates residents of Ago-Ireti, a historic settlement in Akure, on Thursday took their grievances to the Ondo State Governor’s Office, protesting a proposed relocation order they say has sparked anxiety and disrupted livelihoods.

The protesters, who carried placards and sang solidarity songs, appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene, describing the move as “abrupt and inhumane.”

Ago-Ireti, meaning “Settlement of Hope,” was founded in 1943 as a leprosarium, predating the creation of Ondo State.

Over the years, it has grown into a refuge for people once stigmatized by leprosy, supported by religious and humanitarian organisations including the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, the Sisters of St. Louis, and the Anglican Diocese of Akure.

Tension in the community reportedly heightened after government officials issued a one-year relocation notice without prior consultation.

The proposed resettlement site, said to be around Ilu-Abo, has further raised concerns among residents, particularly over security and how to move as most residents are disabled.

Community representatives alleged that the directive was delivered with intimidation and failed to take into account the settlement’s historical significance and the vulnerability of its inhabitants.

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A protester who does not want to disclose his identity lamented that the city is their only hope “We voted for Governor Aiyedatiwa. He should consider our plight. This is not just land; it is our home, Our hope, our history, and our identity. We deserve to be heard, not displaced without dialogue.”

Residents also questioned how supporting organisations would continue their assistance if the relocation proceeds, noting that Ago-Ireti has long benefited from government and non-governmental interventions, especially during the administration of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, which saw improvements in healthcare, welfare, and infrastructure.

“Our helpers often locate us here, religious bodies, humanitarian organizations and Non-governmental organizations, how will they locate us, this is our home”, a protester said.

The protesters expressed hope that the governor may not have been fully briefed on the implications of the directive and urged him to suspend the process and engage stakeholders in dialogue.

The development has placed Ago-Ireti at the centre of a growing social concern, as authorities weigh redevelopment plans against the community’s legacy as a sanctuary for vulnerable groups.