From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
A traditional ruler in Osun State, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji in Boripe Local Government, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Olabomi, has raised the alarm over a purported plan by his counterpart in the state capital, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, to cause a communal clash with his ‘expansionist tendencies.’
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Inspector General of Police, the Department Of State Security Service, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and the state Council of Obas, to caution Oba Oyetunji against causing a communal clash between Iragbiji and Osogbo.
Speaking at a press conference in his palace at Iragbiji, Oba Olabomi alleged that Ataoja has been laying claim to a parcel of lands that does not belong to Osogbo and if not urgently checked, may push the two towns to pick daggers against each other.
“On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, an announcement was made on a private radio station in Osogbo where the Ataoja laid claim to the land between Omu River which is our common boundary, and Boredun which is an Ilase Community on the right, and Iragbiji Community on the left on Osogbo/Ibokun road.
“It is necessary to state that the boundary between Iragbiji and Osogbo had been settled since 1905.
“Appeals against the 1905 decision as well as Administrative inquiries all attest to the authenticity of River Omu as the boundary between Iragbiji and Osogbo. In 2022, Oba Oyetunji whipped up political sentiments laying spurious claims to Iragbijiland.
“Osogbo Community even took the matter to the State Boundary Commission, which eventually concurred with the earlier established Omu River Boundary.
“The Boundary Commission communicated to the Aragbiji and the Ataoja their findings. Since then, peace has returned to the area until a few days later when the Ataoja started a fresh threat to the existing peace. I feel strongly that the Ataoja of Osogbo Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun rather than subtle mitigation of the people against Iragbiji through radio announcements should approach the law courts.
“The boundary between Osogbo and Iragbiji remains Omu River. No amount of intimidation, harassment, or threat will allow the People of Iragbiji to leave any part of our Land to the Ataoja of Osogbo who is on an expansionist mission.
“I like to call on the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Executive Governor of Osun State, the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Security Service, and all Nigerians to call Oba Jimoh Oyetunji to put a stop to his unabated expansionist tendencies lest he cause needless communal clash which is not good for our State,” Oba Olabomi said.