Insecurity: Ekiti Issues 7-day Ultimatum For Evacuation Of Non-natives In Community Farmlands

As part of efforts aimed at stopping infiltrations that could compromise the security of lives in its communities, the Ekiti State government has issued a seven-day ultimatum for the evacuation of some non-natives illegally occupying farmlands and border posts between Isan Ekiti and Eda Oniyo, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area.

The government described the immediate evacuation as apt to avert any action that could threaten the security of the people and their well-being at this period, when cases of kidnapping and banditry are escalating across the country.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, handed down the order in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje,  while mediating on a land dispute between Eda Oniyo and Isan Ekiti at her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital.

The state government’s action followed a petition written by Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, complaining about the ceding of a sprawling parcel of land to people suspected to be non-natives by the Isan community, which they said could fuel insecurity along that axis.

Interacting with the stakeholders, Mrs Afuye, posited that Governor Biodun Oyebanji is working assiduously to provide a water force security for Ekiti residents, saying nothing will be allowed to thwart such actions being taken to ward off bandits and killers from the state.

Mrs Afuye added that it would be counterproductive and dangerous for people whose roots and histories can’t be easily traced to be allocated any farmland in Ekiti for habitation or farming, given the ferocious level of insecurity in the country.

She instructed the monarchs of the two communities to immediately convey the message to the occupants, instructing them to vacate the farmland and ensure that the order is fully complied with.

“We all know what is happening around the country now. Eruku in Kwara State, where people were killed and kidnapped, is a few kilometres away from Eda Oniyo Ekiti, so we won’t take anything for granted. We won’t wait for our people to be killed before taking action.

“We are giving an ultimatum of seven days for those non-natives, who were alleged to be occupying the farmland, to leave. The two communities should evacuate before they start spreading and posing a danger to us.

“The traditional rulers are our leaders. They are peace makers. They should go and execute the order without delay. We don’t want any problem in Ekiti”, she said.

Speaking against the backdrop of a land dispute between the towns over the disputed land, Mrs Afuye assured that the boundary technical committee will visit the place for permanent demarcation, which will resolve the bedlam.

Speaking to the petition written by his community, Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, stated that the continued presence of non-natives on the disputed land at Igbo-Ore farm poses a danger to his subjects, commending the government for its action.

The monarch accused the inhabitants not only of posing a danger but also of embarking on indiscriminate tree cutting to produce charcoal in defiance of the government’s order and pronouncement, which prohibited such an illegal practice.