By Oluwatoyin Enani-Benson
A Lagos-based agro-allied company, Tamarife Farms Nigeria Limited, has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force over an alleged arson attack, criminal trespass and threats to life said to have occurred at its agricultural plantation in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The petition, dated February 7, 2026, was addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, through the company’s solicitors, Deban Attorneys, who requested an urgent investigation and prosecution of the suspects named in the complaint.
In the petition, the firm accused Taiwo Adewuyi, Rilwan Sodiya, also known as “Rado,” Seun David Ogunsanya and other alleged accomplices currently at large of conspiracy, arson, malicious damage, criminal intimidation and threats to life.
The lawyers stated that Tamarife Farms Nigeria Limited is an agro-allied enterprise owned by businessman Seye Mustapha and is the lawful owner and occupier of about 100 acres of agricultural land located at Osu Village via Owu-Odeda in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to the petition, the land had been developed into a commercial oil palm and coconut plantation following significant financial investments in land acquisition, clearing, cultivation, improved seedlings, fertilizers, agro-chemicals and labour.
The company alleged that on January 21, 2026, the named suspects unlawfully entered the farmland and deliberately set fire to cultivated portions of the plantation without lawful justification.
The fire reportedly destroyed 1,041 oil palm seedlings spread across approximately 12.527 acres and an additional 492 coconut seedlings covering about 5.136 acres, bringing the total number of damaged economic trees to 1,533.
Tamarife Farms described the incident as a deliberate and malicious act allegedly intended to inflict maximum damage on its agricultural investment and disrupt operations at the plantation.
The petition further claimed that the farm manager witnessed the incident and apprehended two young boys allegedly recruited to carry out the arson attack.
The suspects were subsequently taken to the Odeda Police Station.
According to the document, the two individuals were later granted bail reportedly secured by persons linked to those accused in the petition.
Beyond the destruction of crops, the company alleged that the suspects issued threats to the life of its owner and workers, warning them to stop accessing or working on the land or face violent consequences.
The threats, the petition said, created fear and panic among farm workers, disrupted agricultural activities and exposed employees to safety risks within the farming community.
Tamarife Farms estimated its immediate financial loss from the incident at ₦12,213,000, excluding projected long-term revenue expected from future harvests destroyed by the fire.
The company told police it possesses documentary evidence, including proof of land acquisition, farm layouts, photographs of the burnt plantation and cost records, which it said would be made available to aid investigation.
The petition argued that the alleged actions constitute serious criminal offences under Nigerian law, including arson, malicious damage to property, criminal trespass, intimidation, threats to life and conspiracy.
It further warned that the situation poses a threat not only to the company’s investment but also to public order and security within Odeda Local Government Area if left unchecked.
Consequently, the solicitors urged the police to immediately invite and investigate the suspects, provide protection for the company’s staff and prosecute anyone found culpable, stressing that the petition was submitted in the interest of justice and to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
As of press time, police authorities had yet to publicly respond to the allegations, while efforts to reach the individuals named in the petition for comment were unsuccessful.
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