Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, says he has held talks with his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, as part of efforts to peacefully resolve the boundary dispute between the two states.
The intervention followed the recent alarm raised by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, over violent clashes between residents of Oke-Oba in Iwo, Osun State, and neighbouring communities in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Oba Akanbi accused alleged land grabbers from Lagelu of attacking residents of several villages in Iwo, including Ogunajo, Eleye, Molamu, Paku, Ejemu Oja, Oloya, Arikese, Eleweran, Olofa Ogundiran, and Molafe.
He called on both governors to consult the official boundary map established in 1991 when Osun State was created out of the old Oyo State, to put the dispute to rest.
Providing an update on Thursday, Osun State Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed in a statement that Adeleke and Makinde recently met at the Oyo Governor’s residence in Ibadan to address the issue.
According to Rasheed, both leaders agreed on a framework for peaceful engagement and resolution of all outstanding concerns, including direct involvement of their deputies in the peace process.
“The two governors met during the week and resolved on immediate actions, which include directing the Deputy Governors of both states to meet and visit the affected areas,” the statement read.
“The deputies will also address other recurring boundary disputes, such as the one between Orolu Local Government in Osun and parts of Ogbomoso in Oyo.”
The statement added that both governors emphasised the need for restraint and urged all parties to halt any further hostilities, insisting that all grievances be addressed through due process and in accordance with the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the National Boundary Commission, which previously visited the disputed areas to gather documentary and oral evidence for boundary clarification, has yet to release its findings.
This delay, stakeholders say, has created a vacuum that continues to fuel tensions.
In recent weeks, reports of fresh attacks have emerged from both sides, with villages in Iwo allegedly under siege and residents in Lagelu also claiming attacks on their communities.
Both states are now banking on renewed collaboration between their governments to stem the violence and find a lasting solution.