To ward off infiltration that could compromise the security of lives, the Ekiti State Government, has issued a seven-day ultimatum for the evacuation of some non-natives illegally occupying a farmland and border post between Isan Ekiti and Eda Oniyo, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area.
The government described the immediate evacuation as apt and apposite, to avert any action that could threaten the security of the people and their wellbeing at this period when cases of kidnapping and banditry are escalating across the country.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, handed down the order in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, while mediating on a land dispute between Eda Oniyo and Isan Ekiti at her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital, on Wednesday.
The trouble shooting action followed a petition written by Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, complaining about the ceding of a sprawling parcel of land to people suspected to be non-natives by Isan community, which they said could fuel insecurity along that axis.
Interacting with the stakeholders, Mrs Afuye, posited that Governor Biodun Oyebanji is working assiduously to provide a water forced security for Ekiti residents, saying nothing will be allowed to thwart such actions being taken to ward off bandits and killers from the state.
Mrs Afuye added that it will be counterproductive and dangerous, for people, whose roots and histories can’t be easily traced to be apportioned any farmland in Ekiti for habitation or farming, with the ferocious level of insecurity in the country.
She told the monarchs of the two communities to immediately convey the message to the occupants to vacate the farmland and as well ensure that the order is wholesomely complied with.
“We all know what is happening around the country now. Eruku in Kwara State where people were killed and kidnapped is a few kilometres away from Eda Oniyo Ekiti, so we won’t take anything to chances. We won’t wait for our people to be killed before taking actions.
“We are giving an ultimatum of seven days for those non-natives, who were alleged to be occupying the farmland to leave . The two communities should go and evacuate them before they start spreading and posing dangers to us.
“The traditional rulers are our leaders. They are peace makers. They should go and execute the order without delay. We don’t want any problem in Ekiti”, she said.
Speaking against the backdrop of land dispute between the towns on the disputed land, Mrs Afuye assured that the boundary technical committee will visit the place for permanent demarcation that will resolve the bedlam.
Speaking to the petition written by his community, Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, said the continued presence of non-natives on the disputed land at Igbo- Ore farm, poses danger to his subjects, commending the government for its action.
The monarch accused the inhabitants of not only posing danger, but embarking on indiscriminate tree cutting to produce charcoal against the order and pronouncement of the government, prohibiting such illegal practice.
“Isan people gave the non-natives, whose roots are not known the border farmland between us to farm. We see this a security threat. They are even spreading to our land. We didn’t know when they were given, so to us, they are there illegally and they must leave before we start having security issues”.
Countering the accusations, the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, said his community has directed the farmers to leave after the 2025 farming season, contrary to the claim of the petitioner that the occupants will be there permanently.
Oba Adejuwon assured that his community will comply fully with the government’s order, since it is in the interest of the state.
“Personally, I can’t support anything that can breed insecurity. We have asked the occupants to harvest their farm products and leave. It is not by force that they should stay there.
“We have boundaries with Ipere, Iludun, Ilemeso and Obo Ayegunle in Kwara State, we didn’t have problem with them, so this issue shouldn’t be allowed to cause any trouble between these towns. We will continue to live together peacefully”, the monarch assured.