Boundary dispute: Aragbiji accuses Ataoja of harbouring expansionist ambitions

The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, in Boripe local government area of Osun State, Oba AbdulRasheed Ayorinde Olabomi has accused the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun of harbouring expansionist tendencies.

He called on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Ademola Adeleke and security agencies to intervene in order to avert a needless communal clash which will not be good for Osun State.

Making this plea during a press conference in Iragbiji on Thursday, Oba Olabomi revealed that the boundaries between the two towns have been defined since 1905 and alleged that recent moves by Oba Olanipekun would likely cause communal clashes between Iragbiji and Osogbo.

Oba Olabomi said: “On Tuesday January 23, 2024, an announcement was made on a private Radio station in Osogbo where the Ataoja laid claim to the land between Omu River which is our common boundary and Boredun which is an Ilase Community on the right and Iragbiji Community on the left on Osogbo/Ibokun road.

“It is necessary to state that the boundary between Iragbiji and Osogbo had been settled since 1905.

“Appeals against the 1905 decision, as well as administrative inquiries all attest to the authenticity of River Omu as the boundary between Iragbiji and Osogbo. In 2022, Oba Oyetunji whipped up political sentiments laying spurious claims to Iragbijiland.

“Osogbo community even took the matter to the State Boundary Commission, which eventually concurred with the earlier established Omu River Boundary.”

The Iragbiji monarch urged Oba Olanipekun to seek judicial redress in law courts rather than through radio announcements.

Attempts by DAILY POST to get the reaction of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, through his spokesperson, Wasiu Bello did not yield any fruit as he did not respond to messages sent to him.