Offa community urges Kwara govt to avert looming boundary dispute

Najeem Usman Yasin

The Kwara State Government has been urged to resist the people of Erin-Ile in the Oyun Local Government Area from from causing unnecessary tension over alleged false claims and reports on boundary circulating in the public.

ROYAL NEWS reports that the National President of Offa Descendants Union, (ODU), Alhaji Najeem Yaasin, stated this in a protest letter made available to journalists on Friday.

According to him, “Contrary to the claim of Erin-Ile, Supreme Court did not award any land to Erin-Ile. The land dispute between Offa and Erin-Ile dates back to the Adaramola’s boundary report which awarded part of Offa land to Erin-Ile.

“The decision was challenged up to the Supreme Court and the Court held that the decision was as it is only the Governor of Kwara State that can vary that decision going by the law setting up the boundary commission. READ ALSO:PHOTO NEWS: New MOPOL barrack in Offa

“The present case arose from some families in Offa who want their ancestral land wrongly given to some families in Erin-Ile. The Supreme Court recent ruling struck out the appeal on technical grounds of improper parties before the court and the matter haven been settled by previous decision of the Supreme Court.”

The letter reads in part: “The Dr Funsho Daramola’s report have been varied by different military governments of Kwara State. In 1975, Col. Ibrahim Taiwo amended the Bamgboye’s edict to set aside the Dr Funsho Daramola’s report and in its place, set up a committee of traditional rulers headed by the late Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Zulu Karnaeni Gambari, which eventually fixed the boundary at the crest of hill between the two community called ‘Kere Ipinle’, a peace accord was signed by both community. READ ALSO: SHOCKING…. Alex Badeh was broke before his death— Family

“In 1985, Group Captain Salaudeen Latinwo published an advertorials acquiring some 500meters on both sides of Kere ipinle boundary line for buffer zone. In 1986, Wing Commander Ndatsu Umoru surveyed the buffer zone with register beacons and deposit accordingly. In 1997 Col PAM Ogar (MILAD) signed the buffer zone into law and gazettes it accordingly. It is now crystal clear that various Governments had varied severally, the decision of Dr. Funsho Daramola report and is no longer valid. Offa therefore rejects any claim to land by Erin beyond the present status quo. Offa will not concede any part of its land to Erin-Ile. READ ALSO: SAD….Police kills Airforce officer at ATM point

“Offa reiterates its position that Supreme Court has not awarded any land to Erin-Ile. The Kwara State government is hereby call upon to caution Erin Ile from creating problems.”