Oyo State Government has initiated efforts to resolve land disputes that have caused tension among 12 Local Government Areas across the state. The affected local councils include Ibadan South West, Oluyole, Oyo East, Afijio, Kajola, Iwajowa, Akinyele, Saki West, Atisbo, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, and communities within Surulere.
The state convened a peace meeting at the Mediation Center located within the Ministry of Justice, Secretariat, Ibadan. The gathering brought together representatives from all concerned local governments. The goal was clear—end boundary disputes peacefully and avoid future conflicts.
Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, who also chairs the State Boundary Committee, led the meeting. He cautioned community leaders and stakeholders against taking laws into their own hands or stirring up unrest. According to Lawal, decisions reached in court should be respected, and people should wait for due process before making any moves.
In a statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, it was noted that both inter and intra-local government boundary issues must be addressed with care to prevent violence. “No responsible government would sit back and allow bloodshed over land matters,” he said.
For certain areas, like Kajola and Iwajowa, the committee relied on previous rulings from both the High Court and Court of Appeal. Meanwhile, for places like Oyo East and Afijio, final decisions are still pending.
The dispute between Saki West and Atisbo remains unresolved, as the committee is still waiting for more legal documents from both parties. In the case of Surulere LGA, its chairman has been tasked with providing updates and ensuring progress is made on the intra-community conflict there.
The boundary tension between Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa East also drew attention, prompting the committee to ask the state’s Surveyor General to define clearer administrative boundaries to reduce confusion.
Oyelade noted that peace is essential to the Makinde-led administration. He pointed out that a government responsible for installing over 40 traditional rulers would not support anything that could lead to chaos in the communities.
In addition, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, urged residents and leaders to accept the committee’s guidance and judgments, saying the committee was set up to find lasting solutions.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Biodun Aikomo, assured all parties that further investigations would be carried out. He promised fair handling of all unresolved matters so that everyone would have confidence in the outcomes.
