Osun/Oyo Govt moves to end border clash between Lagelu and Iwo LGAs

Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State have taken decisive steps to address the ongoing border clashes between the Iwo and Lagelu local government areas, which have been plagued by violence in recent weeks. The renewed hostilities have led to a rise in attacks on communities along the boundary between the two states.

In a move aimed at de-escalating tensions, both governors met at Governor Makinde's residence in Ibadan to strategize on restoring peace. The meeting resulted in a joint decision to empower their respective deputies to take immediate action. These deputies are to engage with local leaders and visit the most volatile areas affected by the conflict.

Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, explained that the discussions emphasized peaceful dialogue as the most effective path to resolving the disputes. The governors agreed that their deputies would serve as intermediaries, working directly with leaders of the Lagelu and Iwo communities to rebuild trust and promote understanding.

Beyond the Iwo-Lagelu conflict, the governors also tasked their deputies with investigating other boundary disputes. A notable area of concern is the ongoing tension between Orolu Local Government in Osun and parts of Ogbomoso in Oyo. These efforts are expected to help identify the root causes of the conflicts and prevent further violence.

Both governors strongly condemned the recent spate of cross-border raids and retaliatory attacks carried out by aggrieved groups. They called on all parties involved to exercise restraint, obey the law, and avoid taking justice into their own hands. Their message was clear: violence will not solve the disputes and must be discouraged.

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) had previously conducted a mediation visit to the disputed border region, collecting oral and written evidence to help demarcate the official boundary. Despite this intervention, the commission has yet to release its final report, which many hoped would bring clarity and end the disputes.

Stakeholders have repeatedly followed up with the NBC, but the continued delay in publishing the findings has created a vacuum. This lack of clear direction has reportedly emboldened factions on both sides of the conflict, worsening the already tense situation and leading to increased unrest.

Over the past month, violence has escalated significantly, with communities in Iwo suffering a series of attacks. In turn, groups from Lagelu have reported retaliatory assaults. As tensions grow, the governors’ intervention and the forthcoming NBC report are seen as critical to halting the cycle of violence and restoring peace.