The people of Ketu-Epe and Senkugba in Epe Local Government of Lagos State have reached an agreement to demarcate their boundary following claims of encroachment by a group alleging the existence of a settlement called Anyanlu between the two towns.
Chief Akeem Oluwo, the Agbon of Ketu/Alaketu-elect, explained that there was no settlement between Ketu-Epe and Senkugba.
“The meeting to discuss the boundary between Ketu-Epe and Senkugba became necessary due to encroachment on our lands by a group of people who claim their village, Anyanlu, is between the two big towns. But let me make it clear, there is no village or town called Anyanlu between us. Ketu-Epe shares a boundary directly with Senkugba. This is just a ploy to encroach on our land,” he said.
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Chief Oluwo added that both towns had decided to resolve the matter amicably and had visited the disputed site. He said their surveyors would move in to put up physical demarcations within a week. On whether there had been clashes, he dismissed fears of violence.
“No, nothing like that. We have not had any violent confrontation with even those who claim to have a settlement there. We wrote to them through our lawyer, but we have yet to get a reply. If they don’t respond, we will take them to court. This agreement will serve as a reference point that there is no village called Anyanlu between Ketu-Epe and Senkugba,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Ketu-Epe, Chief Adewale Badru, also clarified that there was no dispute between the two towns.
Chief Badru said the meeting was to ensure both sides reached a consensus on the boundary line.
“We only want to demarcate our boundary, hence this meeting between the representatives of the two communities. These are elderly people who are conversant with the matter we are discussing, so this meeting is for both sides to have a consensus about where the boundary line lies,” he explained.
After a three-day deliberation, the two communities signed an agreement formalising the boundary. Two weeks earlier, representatives of both towns had visited the site to confirm the line of separation.
Chief Badru emphasised that the agreement was in line with national laws and would serve as a reference in case of future disputes.
“There is no town or village between Ketu-Epe and Senkugba. Once you get to the borders of Ketu, Senkugba is the next community,” he said.
The Ketu-Epe delegation was led by Chief Badru, the Olisa and Regent of Ketu, alongside Chief Akeem Oluwo, the Alaketu-elect. Moshood Tijani, the Olori Ebi of the Adeona Ruling House, and Alhaji Lookman Anjorin, Assistant Secretary of the Oshokeji Atesinmara kingmakers, were also in the group that represented Ketu-Epe.
The Senkugba delegation was headed by Abidemi Ajayi and included Isiaka Adebanjo, Timothy Adebowale, and other prominent indigenes.
