The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has raised a serious alarm over rising hostilities between border communities in Osun and Oyo States, warning that the unchecked aggression could spiral into a full-blown communal crisis if urgent intervention is not initiated by both state governments.
Speaking through his media aide, Alli Ibraheem, the revered monarch accused residents from Lagelu Local Government Area in Oyo State of orchestrating a series of unprovoked attacks on villages situated within Osun’s border region, specifically in Iwoland. According to Oba Akanbi, the aggression has reached a dangerous peak, with armed invaders believed to be land grabbers launching violent assaults that have disrupted daily life and destroyed property.
Narrating the most recent attack, the monarch revealed that the Oke-Oba axis in Iwoland came under siege as suspected invaders stormed the area, unleashing mayhem. He stated that both public and private structures were vandalized, including schools and health facilities owned by the Osun State Government. The incident forced pupils and teachers to flee their classrooms in panic, with academic activities now paralyzed in the affected areas.
In a particularly distressing account, Oba Akanbi disclosed that the palace of a local traditional ruler, the Oloola Molamu Oyin, was completely razed during the attack, an act he described as sacrilegious and an affront to Yoruba culture and tradition. He added that a district primary school and a maternity centre, both serving the needs of the rural population in the region, were not spared — their roofs allegedly dismantled, interiors looted, and buildings set ablaze.
He further lamented the illegal takeover of farmlands belonging to Osun indigenes, stating that armed men believed to be from the Oyo side are currently occupying the lands, harvesting crops and intimidating locals. This, he noted, is a direct threat to food security in the region and a grave violation of citizens’ rights.
Despite the provocations, the Oluwo praised the restraint displayed by the affected communities, asserting that he has consistently appealed for calm among his people, urging them not to retaliate. He condemned the use of violence in land disputes, describing it as a barbaric approach often adopted by those lacking proper education and enlightenment. The monarch stressed that conflicts over land should be resolved through dialogue and lawful processes, not through bloodshed and destruction.
Oba Akanbi reminded all parties involved that the boundary separating Osun from Oyo State was constitutionally and administratively established on August 27, 1991, when Osun was carved out of the old Oyo State. He noted that the ongoing attacks appear to stem from ignorance of this historical demarcation, and called on community leaders and stakeholders from both states to educate their people accordingly.
The traditional ruler issued a passionate appeal to the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and his Osun counterpart, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to jointly address the brewing crisis before it degenerates further. He emphasized that the peace and security of lives and property must take precedence over territorial disputes, and urged both leaders to rely on the recommendations and resolutions of the National Boundary Commission in settling the matter permanently.
According to him, only a firm, unbiased, and law-driven response can guarantee lasting peace in the volatile border communities. He reiterated his commitment to peace and harmony among all Yoruba people and expressed optimism that swift government intervention would douse tensions and restore normalcy.
