Oyo and Osun State Governments have accused the National Boundary Commission (NBC) for what they described as the age-long boundary dispute between communities in Oyo and Osun States which has resulted in the loss of properties worth millions.
They 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.
They spoke during a high-level meeting to proffer lasting solution to the crisis rocking the communities. Ibadan.
While Oyo 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 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 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 the dispute gained public attention recently when the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, reported 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, warnee those he described as forceful land grabbers to vacate the communities.
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The issue resulted in public altercation between foremost traditional rulers which made the Oyo State government urge 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 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 emphasised the brotherly relationship and the need for sustained peace in the pursuit of a lasting solution to the border demarcation crises.
They stressed that the boundary conflict has persisted due to the NBC’s failure to finalise the demarcation process despite having memoranda from both states and their multiple interventions.
