Land dispute: Youths sue for peace in Kwara community

Descendants of the Ibolo Yoruba ethnic group in Offa and Ilemona communities in Kwara state, under the aegis of the Ibolo Youth for Peace, have sued for peace over land matters among some individuals in Ilemona community, Oyun local government area.

A statement by the group, signed by its president, Adeshina Abdullah, in Ilorin on Friday, urged individuals and groups to refrain from inciting youth and the general public over land matters concerning Ilemona communities, Oyun local government and some individuals in Offa, Offa local government area.

According to the group, such actions could lead to unrest and conflict in the community noted for its long history of peaceful coexistence.

The Ibolo Youth for Peace also said that allowing the traditional council of elders and relevant authorities to handle the present situation would ensure a peaceful and amicable resolution and forestall disputes.

“Allow the apex socio-cultural organization of Offa indigenes, the Offa Descendants Union (ODU) and other authorities to mediate in the situation in a bid to foster cooperation and understanding among members of the communities,” the group said.

The group, which said that Offa and Ilemona communities have demonstrated age-long mutual respect and understanding, with no history of land disputes between them, hoped to promote peace and stability in the communities by preventing actions like incitement and misrepresentation of facts that could lead to violence or conflict.

The socio-cultural organisation also described the efforts of the traditional ruler of Elemona, Oba Nurudeen Yusuf, as transformational, saying that the efforts were not only beneficial to the Ilemona community but also to the entire landscape of Ibolo land like Offa, Erin-Ile, Irra, Ijagbo, Ojoku, Ikotun, Igbonna, Igbaye, Faaji, among others.

“We urge some of our people to desist from the politicisation of issues to score a political victory. As it stands, a good number of people from Offa have benefited from Oba Nurudeen Yusuf through empowerment, job opportunities, supply of materials, even those who willingly sold their properties at a very high profit”.

The group said that its intervention aimed to preserve a harmonious relationship between Offa and Ilemona and other neighbouring communities, “as a shining example of peaceful coexistence in the region and also to correct incitement against people of Ibolo land.”

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