In a decisive move to safeguard lives and prevent security threats, the Ekiti State government has issued a seven-day ultimatum for non-natives illegally occupying farmlands and border posts between Isan Ekiti and Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area. The directive comes amid rising concerns over kidnapping and banditry across the country.
The announcement was made by the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Monisade Afuye, through a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje. The statement followed a mediation session on a longstanding land dispute between Eda Oniyo and Isan Ekiti, held at her office in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
The government’s action was prompted by a petition from the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, who raised alarms about a parcel of land allegedly ceded to non-natives by the Isan community. The petition warned that allowing non-natives to occupy the land could increase security risks along the border area.
Speaking during the mediation, Mrs. Afuye stressed the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to providing a robust security framework for all Ekiti residents. She warned that allocating farmland to individuals whose roots and histories cannot be verified could be hazardous given the current security situation in the country.
“We all know what is happening around the country. Eruku in Kwara State, where people were killed and kidnapped, is only a few kilometres away from Eda Oniyo Ekiti. We will not wait for our people to be harmed before taking action,” she said.
The deputy governor instructed the traditional rulers of both communities to convey the government’s order to the occupants immediately. She emphasized that the ultimatum gives non-natives seven days to vacate the farmland to avert potential threats to residents’ safety.
On the land dispute, Mrs. Afuye assured that a boundary technical committee will soon visit the area for permanent demarcation. She said this will resolve tensions and prevent future conflicts between the two communities.
Oba Julius Awolola praised the state government’s prompt action. He noted that the continued presence of non-natives at Igbo-Ore farm poses a danger to the community. He also accused the occupants of engaging in illegal tree cutting to produce charcoal, defying government directives that prohibit such practices.
The Ekiti State government’s decisive approach underscores its commitment to maintaining peace, enforcing the law, and ensuring the safety of residents, particularly in a period when insecurity is on the rise nationwide.
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