Ibadan stakeholders raise concern over persistent boundary dispute with Iwo

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, and members of the Olubadan-in-Council have expressed concern over the ongoing boundary dispute between Ibadan and Iwo in Osun.

The dispute, attributed to a gold mining site, has prompted stakeholders to call for urgent attention to resolve the issue.

The land dispute as contained in a statement jointly signed by Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade and Chief Adeola Oloko after a Stakeholders meeting held at the Bodija residence of Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Ladoja is attributable to gold mining site.

It was not stated whether the mining activities purportedly going on in the Ibadan axis of Iwo border were legal or illegal and who and who were involved.

They, however, submitted that unless drastic action is taken against criminal suspects who destroy lives and property in the areas under reference, there may be no light at the end of the tunnel. The key figures comprising elements from the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Ibadan Mogajis, and Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative had gone to wish Olubadan happy Easter and branched to Otun Olubadan Rashidi Ladoja’s house before lamenting the spate of killing, kidnapping and arson along Ogburo boundary corridor between Ibadan and Iwo axis of Osun.

The stakeholders said it has come to their notice that the current crisis in Ogburo is beyond boundary dispute, saying activities of miners going on in the area are fueling the crisis.

The meeting was attended by Eekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade, Ekerin Balogun Akeem Adewoyin, Ekarun Balogun, Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and Aare Atunluse of Ibadanland, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni, and Rtd. AIG Sikiru Akande. Mogajis Present was led by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori while Baales Present was led by Baale Isiaka Akinpelu.

Others are: the Aare Ago Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Adetokunbo Akintola Ibikunle, Rtd Admiral; House of Reps member, Lagelu federal constituency, Hon Lafioye, Chairman, Lagelu Local Government, Hon. Kamarudeen . and the state Hon representing Lagelu State Constituency, Hon Akintunde (AKT)

According to the statement, the meeting was called to look into the boundary dispute at Ogburo, a boundary community between Ibadan and Iwo, Osun State.

“What we discovered was that there were a lot of mining activities being orchestrated by some sections of Osun who were allegedly supported by prominent traditional rulers in the area.

“What has doused the tension for now is the visit by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to the area and suspects arrested. However, many people have been injured since the beginning of the dispute, Ologburo installed by Olubadan has been sacked and could not come to town again.

“Recently, a grader belonging to Lagelu Local government was razed with fire, those perpetrating these dastardly acts are currently advancing towards Papa and Lagun. Schools and maternity centres built by Oyo State have been hijacked and converted to Osun State properties.

“The stakeholders have resolved to critically look into the matter and ensure that the issue is critically dealt with, particularly in the area of mining going on in the axis.

“We call the attention of Oyo State government, we know the state government has been doing well, but they still need to do more.

“The meeting is a continuous one, we will still hold another meeting to monitor activities going on there to know the true picture of the crisis and alert people of its security implications.”