The governors of Oyo and Osun State, Seyi Makinde and Ademola Adeleke, respectively, have waded into the incessant border clashes between the states’ Lagelu and Iwo local governments.
The two governors have launched peace moves ahead of the release of the report of the National Boundary Commission.
The two governors met during the week to discuss the dispute. They resolved immediate actions, including directing the deputy governors of both states to meet and then visit the areas involved in the dispute.
The resolution reached at Governor Makinde’s residence in Ibadan emphasised the need for peaceful engagement and resolution of all outstanding issues. It charged the deputy governors with meeting the leaders of the Lagelu and Iwo communities involved in the confrontation.
The deputy governors were expected to investigate related boundary disputes, such as the recurring one between the two states’ Orolu local government and the Ogbomoso areas.
Both governors called for restraints and cessation of reported raids into each other’s territories by aggrieved parties, insisting on due process and the rule of law in conflict resolution.
The National Boundary Commission conducted mediation visits to the disputed areas to collate data from documentary and oral evidence and determine the exact boundary of the two states.
However, despite several follow-ups by the stakeholders, the federal agency had not released its report, creating a vacuum that violators exploited.
In the last month, several villages in the Iwo local government have been attacked, while the Lagelu groups also alleged attacks on their men and settlements.
Governor Adeleke emphasized the historical linkage between the two states at the meeting, declaring that “our people are one, and we must peacefully resolve any outstanding issues.
“I commend my brother, Governor Seyi Makinde, on this proactive decision. Our deputy governors will take up the matter as a matter of urgency”, Adeleke said.
