Osun/Oyo Boundary: Harmonize Your Interest To Avert Inter-State Crisis, Oluwo Urges, Osun, Oyo Govs

-Says Lagelu Land Grabbers On Rampage

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called on the Governors of Osun and Oyo States, Ademola Adeleke and Engr. Seyi Makinde respectively, to harmonize their interest in the brewing territorial crisis between the people of the Oke Oba axis of Iwoland (Osun State) and the Lagelu area of Ibadan (Oyo State).

Oba Akanbi disclosed the territorial tussle has been handled by the National Boundary Commission for years.

He noted the commission has prepared a report waiting for the official public presentation to be facilitated by the two affected state Governors.

He alleged and tagged the promoters of violence from the Lagelu area as land grabbers forcefully usurping people’s land and selling illegally.

Oluwo expressed concern over the danger and threat to life and humanity the delay of the report is causing.

He revealed the land grabbers from Lagelu are taking laws into their hands by attacking the people of Ogunajo, Eleye, Molamu, Paku, Ejemu Oja, Oloya, Arikese, Eleweran, Olofa Ogundiran, Molafe villages, all of Iwoland.

Oluwo asked the two Governors to check the established map well demarcated since 1991 when Osun was carved out of the old Oyo State.

A statement released by Oluwo and made available to newsmen through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, reads “As a peace-loving Royal Father, I appeal to the Governors of Osun and Oyo States, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke and Engr. Seyi Makinde respectively, to harmonize their interest in settling the long existing boundary dispute between the people of Oke Oba Papa Axis of Iwoland in Osun State and Lagelu area of Ibadan, Oyo State. The territorial tussle is before the National Boundary Commission for years. The commission visited Osun State in 2022 for an independent findings. They have allegedly prepared their report waiting for the public proclamation to be facilitated by the two Governors”

“Just yesterday, these land grabbers from Lagelu mobilized again for an onslaught against the people of Oke Oba villages in Iwoland. They have committed arson by destroying both public and private properties. They have sacked teachers and students from classrooms. I feared further silence may degenerate into a larger event if not timely curtailed”

“The palaces of some Baales were completely destroyed. Oloola Molamu Oyin was razed last week. Osun has District Council Primary school and maternity there. The people of these villages have Osun State polling units during elections. They have removed the roof of all these government facilities. They removed the roof, loot and set ablaze the palace. They took Over people’s farms, harvested their goods and rubbed them at gunpoint. They have their thugs stationed at these villages till date with guns and other deadly weapons”

“The people of these villages are peace loving. I always calm them against retaliation or reprisal attack. Land disputes are not won with guns. Only an illiterate with no future will engage in physical weapon combat on land boundaries”

“I’m an exposed monarch who will never promote violence. I know the route to peace and will continue to toe it. I don’t sell land. I’ve not sold a plot of land since I became Oluwo”

“The demarcated boundary since 27th August, 1991, when Osun was split out of the old Oyo State is not extendable. Some land grabbers from Lagelu are ignorant of the existing map.

” I call on the two peace loving Governors to consider the fragile nature of the area. Nothing could bring sustainable peace than ensuring the proclamation and enforcement of the National Boundary Commission reports. In the meantime, Governor Seyi Makinde should mandate the people of Lagelu from fermenting further trouble. They should be made to understand that, we are one”