The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has raised concerns over a looming communal clash between Osun and Oyo states stemming from unresolved boundary disputes.

The monarch, in a statement issued on Wednesday, through his spokesperson, Alli Ibraheem, alleged that there were plans to cede portions of Osun State land around the Iwo axis to the Lagelu community in Oyo State.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to constitute an independent committee of enquiry to address the matter.

The traditional ruler also warned that failure to act could escalate tensions among communities in the affected areas.

“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,” the Oluwo said.

He stressed that urgent steps were necessary to avert a crisis between the two neighbouring states, adding, “There is a clandestine plan to steal the ancestral birth rights of the people of Iwo land.”

Oba Akanbi noted that residents of the affected villages had already expressed anger over previous clashes.

“As a responsible father to the sons and daughters of Iwo land, I will find it extremely difficult to console the victims of cheating,” he said.

The monarch referenced an incident in April in which three people were reportedly killed during confrontations involving land grabbers from Offa and Lagelu.

“The families of the victims and residents of the affected villages in Iwo land intend to carry out a reprisal,” he stated.

According to him, the aggrieved families approached him, and he 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.

He, however, raised concerns about the handling of boundary documents by authorities, saying, “The indicators show that all historical documents and evidence received from Osun State have been misplaced.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.”

Oba Akanbi maintained that the affected villages were historically part of Osun State, citing public facilities and polling units in the area.

“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.

The traditional ruler appealed to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene promptly and urged state authorities and security operatives to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

While restating his confidence in the federal government’s ability to address the issue and expressing hope that a transparent enquiry would resolve the concerns raised by residents of Iwo land, he reiterated that only swift governmental action could prevent tensions from escalating further and ensure that communities along the disputed boundary remain peaceful.

Oluwo warns of looming Osun–Oyo land clash, seeks urgent action