…urges warring communities to pursue peace
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo and Osun state governments have accused the National Boundary Commission (NBC) for what they descrobed as the age long boundary dispute between the communities in Oyo and Osun states which has resulted in the loss of properties worth millions of Naira.
This is as they jointly called on the Commission to take urgent steps to resolve the lingering issue to prevent unnecessary tensions among the people of the two states while reaffirming their commitment to peace and unity as not just neighbors but brothers separated by state creation.
The governments spoke during a high level meeting which was called to proffer lasting solution to the crisis rocking the communities. Ibadan.
While Oyo state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal led state delegation including leadership of the affected communities, Prince Kola Adewusi led the Osun state team to the meeting.
The meeting blamed the Commission for not being specific on the exact boundary location between the communities in Ibadan less city and Iwo in Osun state.
Representatives of the two states at the meeting emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties that bind their peoples, and also highlighted their mutual commitment to peace and cooperation.
They, therefore, warned divisive elements to desist from causing crisis as the full wrath of the law will fall on anyone found culpable of inciting violence or making inflammatory statements to escalate the situation.
They maintained that there can be no alternative to peace on the lingering dispute.
The Nation reports that the dispute gained public attention recently when the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, had earlier highlighted violent clashes between communities in Iwo and Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The Oluwo had alleged that land grabbers from Lagelu have been attacking villages under Iwo, including Ogburo, Ogunajo, Eleye, and Molamu leading to arrest of suspects by security operatives.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin had also reacted, warning those he described as forceful land grabbers to vacate the communities.
The issue had resulted in public altercation between both foremost traditional rulers which made the Oyo State government urging all parties to be calm.
However, as part of their fact finding mission on the true state of the border demarcation, the two deputy governors jointly led delegations of both states on an on-the-spot inspection of Oba river, Ogburo, and Tapa community, all under disputed border between Lagelu in Oyo and Osun west under Osun state.
Consequent upon their onsite inspection, and engagements with traditional and community leaders of affected areas, the two states emphasized the brotherly relationship and the need for sustained peace in the pursuit of a lasting solution to the border demarcation crises.
The two states in their separate remarks while addressing locals, stressed that the boundary conflict has persisted due to the NBC’s failure to finalize the demarcation process despite having memoranda from both states and their multiple interventions.
Speaking earlier during a joint press briefing by both states before the inspection, the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal frowned at the rate of misrepresentation of fact regarding the dispute in the media.
He noted that wrong information in public space has contributed to the clashes and advised that information should be handled carefully to prevent further conflicts.
While calling on security agencies to immediately arrest anyone found fomenting trouble or causing crises over the disputed border, Lawal warned that whoever is found culpable of fanning embers of violence or sponsoring it will be severely dealt with by the law.
He emphasized that the boundary dispute remains sensitive and that Oyo State will continue to collaborate with Osun state to pursue peace in the spirit of brotherhood and shared Yoruba ancestors.
He said, “We urge all stakeholders, including community leaders, residents, and media organizations, to avoid inflammatory statements and rumors that may incite violence or breed mistrust. The path forward must be one of dialogue, understanding, peace, and unity”
Speaking to the traditional and community leaders at Tapa community, the governments of Oyo and Osun States jointly reiterated their disappointments over the slow response and lack of clarity from the National Boundary Commission on the long-standing border demarcation.
