Ondo Communities Raise The Alarm Over Incursion On Land

Residents of 19 coastal and oil-producing communities in Ilaje native authorities space of Ondo State have raised the alarm over an alleged incursion into their ancestral land by armed individuals allegedly linked to the neighbouring Itsekiri group.

The affected communities, all situated in Ugbo Kingdom, embody Odun Ebiwon Group, Odun Makin, Ilu Titun, Odun Odunjo, Odun Maha, Eke Nla, Eke Kekere, Ubajakere, Eke Itiola, Odun Okoro, Odun Yonren, Odun Beku, Odun Ogungbeje, Odun Oyinbo, Odun Oriretan, Ubale Kekere, Ubale Nla, Ikuyinminu and Odun Igo.

The residents stated the alleged improvement had created rigidity within the coastal space and threatened the longstanding peaceable relationship between the Ilaje and Itsekiri individuals, who’ve maintained shut social and cultural ties for generations.

Talking on behalf of the communities, Busayo Julius Ebiniyi stated the individuals remained dedicated to peace however wouldn’t compromise their declare to the disputed territory, which he stated had been inherited from their forefathers.

Ebiniyi stated the connection between the 2 teams had been strengthened through the years by way of intermarriages, cultural similarities and social interactions, stressing that peaceable coexistence shouldn’t be mistaken for surrendering their ancestral rights.

He recognized the disputed space as Odun Ebiwonjumi and stated the communities had historic and political information to assist their declare of possession.

He additionally pointed to improvement tasks executed within the space by the Ondo State authorities and its companies, together with the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Growth Fee (OSOPADEC), as proof of the state’s longstanding reference to the territory.

In keeping with him, a faculty constructed throughout the administration of former Governor Olusegun Agagu and a walkway constructed underneath former Governor Olusegun Mimiko have been amongst tasks that demonstrated the involvement of Ondo State within the space.

“We’re a peace-loving nation, and we’ve established norms of selling peace and peaceable coexistence between ourselves and our sister group and different nationalities round us. We wish to plead with the state governments of Ondo and Delta to enter government-to-government engagement and assemble elders of each the Ilaje and Itsekiri communities for dialogue,” Ebiniyi stated.

He alleged that the financial significance of the world, notably its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and offshore oil actions, may need contributed to the renewed curiosity within the territory.

Ebiniyi warned that permitting the disagreement to degenerate into violence would have devastating penalties for each side, urging the Itsekiri to embrace dialogue and keep away from what the Ilaje communities described as their ancestral land.

One other indigene, Olumide John Ebiwonjumi, stated the group had existed for greater than 200 years and maintained that it remained a part of Ugbo Kingdom in Ilaje Native Authorities Space of Ondo State.

Additionally talking, the group chief of Ebiwon, Orimisan Ebiwonjumi, alleged that folks from Delta State had lately invaded the group with boats.

He appealed to the Ondo State authorities to intervene urgently and supply fundamental facilities, together with potable water, respectable housing, solar energy, telecommunications community and healthcare services.