Ilaje Communities Protest Alleged Delta Land Encroachment in Ondo

(Residents Protest. Photo Credit: Punch News)

Residents of 19 oil-producing towns in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State protested on Friday against people from neighboring Delta State areas allegedly encroaching on their land.

The demonstrators urged the Ondo State Government to step in and stop the conflict from turning into an interstate crisis on behalf of the impacted coastal villages of Ilaje.

The communities represented include Odun Ebiwon Community, Odun Makin, Ilu Titun, Odun Odunjo, Odun Maha, Eke Nla, Eke Kekere, Ubajakere, Eke Itiola and Odun Okoro.

Others are Odun Yonren, Odun Beku, Odun Ogungbeje, Odun Oyinbo, Odun Oriretan, Ubale Kekere, Ubale Nla, Ikuyinminu and Odun Igo.

During the protest, the residents sang solidarity songs and carried placards with inscriptions including, “Odun Makin Community belongs to Ugbo in Ilaje LGA, Ondo State,” “We Don’t Want Crisis in Our Land,” “Oretan Community belongs to Ugbo Kingdom in Ondo State,” “Ilaje People Are Peace-Loving, We Say No to Inter-State Crisis,” and “Ebiwon Community is Ondo State.”

Speaking on behalf of the impacted towns, Mr. Busayo Ebiniyi, a community leader, claimed that the economic importance of the area which he claimed was rich in oil and other mineral resources had put the communities under constant pressure from neighboring communities in Delta State.

He stated that community leaders had been communicating with the appropriate authorities to ensure peace and that the purpose of the protest was to raise awareness of the problem, reduce tensions, and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Ebiniyi demanded that the Ondo State Government take immediate action to resolve the conflict.

"Because of the mineral resources found in our communities in Ugbo Kingdom, Ilaje Local Government, this development has come to threaten the peace of our people," he stated.

Ebiniyi emphasized that the Ilaje people had coexisted peacefully with their neighbors for many generations and stated that the community leaders will keep working with pertinent authorities and traditional leaders to settle the conflict.

"This land is our collective patrimony and heritage," he declared.

We will therefore avoid being intimidated and suppressed by those we consider to be friends but who might have ulterior motives while we embrace peace.

We oppose intimidation in all its forms.

"We are communicating with the Delta State Government through the Ondo State Government that we do not want Delta people to return to our community."

Another community leader, Ebiwonjumi Olumide, said the affected communities were part of Ugbo Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area and had existed for generations under the authority of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom.

He maintained that the communities had never identified with Delta State, describing claims over their land as unacceptable.

“We have evidence and proof.

We possess historical records and political evidence that support our ownership of this land.

For instance, the OSOPADEC project here was executed between 1999 and 2003.

We have a school built during the administration of Dr. Olusegun Agagu, and this walkway was constructed during the administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko,” he said.

Also speaking, a leader, Orimisan Ebiwanjuwon, urged the Ondo State Government to strengthen its presence in the riverine communities through infrastructure development and improved security.

"We want the government to put up border signs for Ondo State in this area.

We require hospitals, new houses, drinkable water, and sufficient security," he declared.

Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, responded that the government would investigate.

"The government would investigate the issue.

"We will make sure that our people continue to live in peace," the commissioner said.