According to the state administration, the land was acquired and designated as an industrial area by the defunct Western Region.
The Ondo State Government has demolished forty residences in Akure, the state capital, which it claims were constructed on public land.
The state government stated that the homes were among 98 structures designated as illegitimate.
Lola Fagbemi, state commissioner for physical planning and urban development, stated as much in Akure on Monday.
Along the Akure/Owo expressway, the demolished structures were primarily residential buildings located behind the popular Automat.
The land was allegedly sold illegally to the proprietors of the buildings by land squatters.
According to Mrs. Fagbemi, the site was acquired by the now-defunct Western Region and designated as an industrial area.
The state government denied requests for compensation for the demolished structures.
Mrs. Fagbemi stated, "The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Infrastructure informed us of the area upon the creation of Ondo State on February 3, 1976, and it is one of the state's greatest immovable assets."
"Records in our possession also revealed that initial landowners were compensated when the land was first acquired.
"We are using this forum to inform the affected parties that this area is an industrial zone and no residential construction will be permitted there. It should also be noted that the government cannot be intimidated in any fashion."
She stated that proper legal procedures had been followed, as the case had been ongoing since 2016, and that the victims had been properly notified.
She stated, "This was done when some of these houses were still at the foundation stage, but no one listened."
"It should also be noted that none of the houses built on this land have the required land documents to establish ownership, including a Certificate of Occupancy and a land use permit. These are territories seized by land speculators."
The Commissioner for Housing and Infrastructure, Raimi Aminu, stated that the need for the demolition became urgent, particularly as the state awaits the long-anticipated opening of the Ondo Port.
"Before now, all of the land from Oyemekun, Irese to ORSC, Automat, and Shagari junction had been acquired for industrial use, and the highway did not exist," he explained.
"Now that Ondo state is preparing for Port Ondo, which we believe will gain prominence in the near future, this expansion must occur at the headquarters.
"We have a large tract of land for industrial purposes, but these lands have been encroached upon, so we have gone there to conduct the initial phase of the demolition operation.
"The government of Ondo is not without compassion; the occupants' pleading and cries for leniency caused us to ease up a bit, allowing them to pack their belongings and remove a few items from the house before we return to demolish the remaining houses."
One of the affected proprietors, who did not wish to have his name published, criticized the exercise, stating that they were not given sufficient time.
"They notified us roughly three days ago, and now they are here to demolish our buildings," he said.
"I have no idea where I will begin. This is what I've worked my entire life for; it's quite unjust and unfortunate."
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