The National Boundary Commission (NBC) says it is taking steps to address the lingering boundary crisis between the Ifon community in Osun and the Surulere community in Oyo State.
The NBC chairman in Osun, Kunle Adeigbe, stated this during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday in the Surulere community.
Mr Adeigbe said the meeting was aimed at finding a lasting solution to the boundary dispute between the two communities.
He said the Osun state government had taken steps to address the dispute to prevent further escalation.
The NBC chair stressed that peaceful co-existence remains a critical pillar for growth and development in developing communities such as Ifon and Surulere.
“We need to come together to address the issues on the ground by resolving the boundary dispute and working collectively for the peace and progress of the people,” he said.
Mr Adeigbe noted that while the NBC headquarters in Abuja has the final authority on boundary matters, it was important for the affected communities and states to seek a compromise before the commission takes a final decision.
“We are interested in peace, and that is why we are here to understand the next steps and to avoid any form of violence that could endanger lives and property,” he said.
The NBC representative in Oyo State, Olusoji Adeoye, said constructive dialogue was essential to reaching a final resolution of the dispute.
Mr Adeoye, also the state’s surveyor-general, said the boundary crisis could be resolved if all parties agreed to give peace a chance and embrace unity between the affected communities.
He urged residents of both communities to refrain from taking the law into their own hands, stressing that the governments of both states had established boundary committees to handle such matters.
“Oyo and Osun states are laying claim to the boundary in question, but the NBC will address the issue peacefully without any rancour.
“Let us follow due process in addressing this issue, and once the NBC finalises it, everyone will be satisfied,” he said.
Boundary documents on the disputed lands were submitted to the NBC by legal representatives of both communities.
The meeting was attended by government representatives, NBC officials, and representatives of the two communities.
A representative of the Ifon community, Olasupo Aderemi, said the community shared boundaries with several communities without crisis, expressing hope that the current dispute with Surulere would be resolved promptly.
Also, a representative of the Surulere community, Ade Adekunle, appealed to the NBC to resolve the boundary crisis as soon as possible.