The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has raised a fresh alarm over a possible outbreak of violence between communities in Osun and Oyo states due to an ongoing boundary dispute that has remained unresolved for years. The monarch said the situation is becoming more dangerous and requires urgent action from the federal and state governments to prevent a major breakdown of law and order.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Alli Ibraheem, the Oluwo alleged that there were ongoing plans to cede portions of land belonging to Osun State, particularly around the Iwo axis, to the Lagelu community in Oyo State. He said this development had already created tension among residents of the affected villages, who fear losing their ancestral land.
According to the monarch, some groups are working secretly to alter long-standing boundaries, a move he says threatens the peace of communities that have lived under Osun State for generations. “There are indicators of a compromise to cede part of Osun State in Iwo axis to Lagelu in Oyo State, a situation that may trigger another civil unrest in the affected villages,” he said.
The Oluwo called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately set up an independent and transparent committee of enquiry to address the matter. He stressed that only swift intervention from the federal government can prevent the situation from escalating into a violent clash.
The dispute between Osun and Oyo states over land ownership is not new. Many communities along the boundaries of both states share historical ties and land claims that predate the creation of Osun State in 1991. Over the years, disagreements over which villages belong to which state have led to repeated clashes, destruction of property, and loss of lives.
Oba Akanbi warned that if the issue is not resolved promptly, the anger already building within affected communities may spill over. He noted that residents of the disputed villages are unhappy and have made their frustrations known, especially given previous incidents that ended in bloodshed.
“There is a clandestine plan to steal the ancestral birth rights of the people of Iwo land,” he said. “As a responsible father to the sons and daughters of Iwo land, I will find it extremely difficult to console the victims of cheating.”
The Oluwo recalled an incident in April in which three people were reportedly killed during clashes involving land grabbers from Offa and Lagelu. He said the families of the victims have expressed deep anger and were considering reprisal attacks before he intervened.
“The families of the victims and residents of the affected villages in Iwo land intend to carry out a reprisal,” he stated. “They approached me, and I counselled them to seek legal redress rather than resort to violence. I assured them of an objective report from the National Boundary Commission. They listened to my advice.”
He said many residents believe the latest attempts to adjust the boundary could spark even more violent confrontations, especially if the government does not take a firm and transparent position.
One of the Oluwo’s major concerns is the handling of official documents by authorities responsible for determining the boundaries. He claimed that important historical documents submitted by Osun State had been “misplaced,” creating suspicion among members of the affected communities.
“The indicators show that all historical documents and evidence received from Osun State have been misplaced. If documents are missing, the committee has a right to call for other copies from us,” he said.
According to the monarch, the villages under contention have long been recognised as parts of Iwo land and Osun State. He said this is evident in the presence of public facilities such as schools, hospitals, and polling units bearing Osun State identities.
“The people of Iwo are the landlords of the affected villages. They have their schools, hospitals, and other public facilities and voting units bearing Osun State. It will be a national treason to force them to another state,” he added.
Oba Akanbi urged Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to step in quickly to ensure that the rights of residents are protected. He said the state government must move decisively to challenge any attempt to alter the boundary without proper consultation with community leaders and affected families.
He also called on security agencies to be alert and proactive. According to him, preventing violence is better than trying to restore peace after people have already been killed or displaced.
“It is important for state authorities and security operatives to forestall any breakdown of law and order,” he said.
Boundary conflicts are common across Nigeria, especially in states with shared historical claims or overlapping cultural identities. Many communities operate under traditional boundaries that have existed for centuries, while modern administrative boundaries introduced by the government sometimes differ. This often leads to disputes over land ownership, taxation, farming rights, and community identity.
The National Boundary Commission (NBC) is responsible for resolving such disputes, but the process is often slow, and many communities feel neglected or unfairly treated. In some cases, unresolved disputes escalate into violent clashes.
The Oluwo said he still trusts the federal government to address the current issue. He expressed hope that a transparent and fair enquiry would resolve the concerns raised by residents of Iwo land.
He emphasised that only swift action can prevent the growing tension from turning into violence and ensure that peace is maintained in the border communities.
As the tensions continue to grow, residents of the affected villages are anxiously waiting for the government’s next steps. Many community members believe that the only way to avoid conflict is for federal and state authorities to clarify the true boundary and ensure that historical records are properly considered.
The Oluwo’s warning adds pressure on both Osun and Oyo state governments to act quickly. With past incidents already fresh in the memories of the people, leaders say the situation should not be allowed to reach a point where communities take matters into their own hands.
The monarch reiterated that he will continue to advocate for peace and legal resolution, but stressed that the government must not delay in addressing the root of the problem.
“Our people want peace, but they also want justice,” he said. “Only a clear and fair decision from the authorities can calm the situation and protect the communities living along the disputed boundary.”
As both states await further action from the federal government and the National Boundary Commission, residents hope that early intervention will prevent another tragedy and secure lasting peace for the affected communities.
