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OPEN COMMUNIQUE TO THE IJEBU IGBO COUNCIL OF ELDERS

IJEBU-IGBO VS AYEDAADE BOUNDARY DISPUTE:
A Call To Avert The Looming War

Distinguished Elders,

It’s a pleasure reaching out to you again for the sake of our town, Ijebu Igbo. I'm advocating for effective and preventive strategies to curb the threat of war emanating from the neighbouring community, Ayedaade in Osun State.

Historically, it’s pertinent to know that our primitive forefathers were renowned warlords during their time. Especially during Kiriji and Danasungbo wars, Ijebu Igbo people played prominent roles that distinguished them in the comity of communities as Akinkanju Ninu Ogun. Subsequently, the generations thereafter inherited the gene of bravery in war. This craving remains in the blood until the civilization drastically eradicated the norms through religion and western education which equipped us with knowledge and understanding required to tackle any dispute, especially boundary dispute constructively to avoid violence.

Apparently, there is no gainsay to the fact that boundary dispute in Nigeria has been the most serious source of several crises or inter communal violence in Nigeria. This has become a nightmare for all concerned neighbours because those involved are often prepared to fight tooth and nail over the smallest strips of land. We still can’t eradicate the fact that this norm has erupted violent crisis periodically within some communities like Ife vs Modakeke and Ofa vs Erinle and many others. Boundary dispute between neighbours are wretched affairs, they cause miseries leading to costs which are often grossly disproportionate to the value being fought over, as many people will be displaced, lives lost, properties vandalized and economy affected.

Therefore, I make this clarion call to all Sons and Daughters of Ijebu Igbo all around the globe to be aware that another war looms right now if we fold our hands proving indifferently. The tension now is high in the volatile areas of Ijebu Igbo boundaries. The settlers at the boundary are being threatened by some usurpers and this dictates that an inter-community war may break any moment from now. I call on every one to join in constructive resolution to avert the impending mishaps that may plunge the town into another civil war.

Frankly speaking, I know it will baffle you to ascertain that about a month ago, 15 buses fully loaded with ammunitions, police, miscreants and others encroached into the boundary of Ijebu Igbo and invaded the territories of Gbokutaru area to cause mayhem that could lead to untold havocs, loss of lives and properties supposing Ijebu Igbo, the counterpart attempted to defend themselves tit-for-tat. The video evidence of this bastardized attitude which is available in the confine of the DSS office revealed that the invasion was mobilized by the neighboring community that shares boundary with Ijebu Igbo, on the mission to block the only access route that links to Dangote quarry station. An intervention into the crisis deeply revealed that the Certificate for Dangote to operate as the quarry was officially obtained from Osun State government, and the motive that instigated the invasion was to possess their land, by evicting the original owners.

The question from a sane mind is who conceded the Ijebu Igbo land to the authoritative ownership of the Osun State people?

In this course, further investigations revealed that some Baales of Ijebu Igbo villages around the border had been in the practice of paying royalties to the monarch of the neighboring community, Oba Ayedaade in Osun State. Their ignorant involvement of royalty payment had been frequent ever before the monarch celebrated his first coronation anniversary. It became more obvious that the Baales contributed into the success of the first anniversary in both cash and kind. And what eventually blew up the hidden practice was when Oba Ayedaade sent letter of appreciation to the Baales.

In appreciation, the monarch sent letter to the Baales, addressed them as Baales under Ayedaade community Osun State. Having read through the letter, they became overwhelmed by the usurpative tactic the monarch employed to subjugate them under his authority! Reading meaning to this letter triggered their non-complacent to the stealing by tricks approach of the Oba Ayedaade. The veil got broken when it became transparent that the Osun People are claiming all the land after the bridge as part of Osun State. This in swift reaction opted them to forward a petition in which they copied DPO, DSS and local Government Chairman, Ijebu Igbo.

Having received the petition, the director of DSS, Ijebu Igbo branch, Mr. Olarewaju swung into action by sending signal to the nearer director of DSS counterpart in Osun State to inquire about the crisis so as to establish the fact. It was during the process that Mr. Olarewaju got to ascertain that Dangote obtained the Certificate from Osun State, and the document signed as agreement with Dangote management in which the beneficiaries and signatories were exposed with first N250millions first payment involving two sectional Obas of Ijebu Igbo. (details from DSS Office).

But, sequel to the directive emanating from the Senate in October directing the National Boundary Commission to investigate boundary conflicts around the country and clearly delineate the boundaries to curb widespread crisis, Mr. Olarewaju of Ijebu Igbo DSS office summoned the parties involved in this matter, including the Baales to his office for amicable resolutions. Mr. Olarewaju requested the duplicate of the signed agreement from the Baales but they declined base on the assertion that the lead role player, one of the Sectional Obas involved must be on ground for such request to be granted. Even the gentle man contacted Ijebu North Local government Chairman to provide the boundary map which had been in the local government for several decades but just to hear that the map could not be found.

Unknowingly to the Baales that most of the hidden documents are already in the custody of the DSS, Mr. Olarewaju attempted to call the alleged sectional Oba involved on phone but all calls were not picked until he had to travel to Osun State where he implored the Oba Ayedaade to call the alleged Oba in his presence. That was how Olarewaju was able to establish the fact that some Aboriginal indigenes of Ijebu Igbo conceded the land from the bridge, including all the villages to the authority of Osun State.

What an absurdity! Ever since the scenario, the alleged monarch had jet out of the country until about few days ago when he returned because of some people who have come again to purchase another 25,000 acres of land in Ijebu Igbo. You should know what it involves!

Distinguished elders, the tension is high presently as the Osun people are mobilizing to invade the village again, claiming that the river is the boundary of Osun State and Ogun State. I can’t divulge all the secrets here in the open, I appeal that the elders should wage into the crisis constructively for peace resolution. The office of DSS is cordially open for verification and the support of the whole town is utmost needed.

Federal government can’t make mistake in its dispositions. This case is very simple to handle only because the Oba Ayedaade is trying to play on the intelligence of Ijebu Igbo Elite simply because the Orimolusi throne is vacant. And it is time to prove that Ijebu Igbo is endowed with immeasurable intellectual resources to handle this constructively. It is time to boost the prestige of our town, displaying a measure of maturity in handling issues like this, unlike those who mobilized 15 buses fully loaded with arms in preparation to fight war.

However, more to this is that, Osun State was carved out of the old Oyo State and some available questions which the answers would be advantageous to buttress the rightful ownership of the areas include:

Timber Permit: Which State has been collecting revenues and permits over all the trees fell all around the areas? Ogun State

Primary Schools: There are schools at these areas, who controls, manages, posts teachers and pays salaries to them? Ogun State

Health Post: Under which jurisdiction do all the health clinics there belong? And who pays the salaries of the staff? Ogun State

National Population Commission: During the census, which State conducted the exercise at these areas? Ogun

Election: During the election, which local government Authority conducted the exercise? Ijebu North

WHY SHOULD THE CERTIFICATE TO OPERATE ON OGUN LAND BE ACQUIRED FROM OSUN? (Details of the game played are with DSS)

Distinguished Elders, this case is very simple to handle. We should not wait until it escalates into war before making move. The villagers are living in fear, their lives and properties are not save and their hope is reposed on the Elite. Please, the time is now. The DSS Office in Ijebu Igbo is open to all to verify this fact as lots of documents and video available as evidence. The director of DSS office, Mr. Olarewaju requests the attention of the town Elders to intervene in the dispute, so as to make hay while the sun shines.

I’m so optimistic that the insult emanating from the neighbouring community is as a result of the vacant Orimolusi.

ELEDUMARE A FUN WA SE O

Dr. Saint