19 Ilaje oil-rich communities raise alarm over alleged Delta incursion

Leaders and residents of 19 coastal communities in Ondo State's Ilaje Local Government Area have sounded an alarm over alleged invasions of their ancestral land by armed individuals from neighboring Delta State. The communities, situated in the Ugbo Kingdom, are urging the Ondo State Government to promptly engage its Delta State counterpart to de-escalate the situation before it escalates into violence.

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The peaceful coexistence should not be interpreted as abandonment of our ancestral claim to the land, known as Odun Ebiwonjumi, which was handed down to us by our forefathers.

Busayo Julius Ebiniyi, a spokesperson for the affected communities, stated that the ongoing alleged incursions have created significant tension and threaten the generations-old peaceful relationship between the Ilaje and Itsekiri people. He emphasized that while the Ilaje have historically maintained cordial relations through intermarriages and cultural similarities, this peaceful coexistence should not be misconstrued as an abandonment of their ancestral claim to the land, known as Odun Ebiwonjumi.

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We have the OSOPADEC projects here, the school built by former Governor Olusegun Agagu and the walkway built by former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Ebiniyi highlighted that the communities possess historical and political records supporting their claim, citing development projects executed by the Ondo State Government, including those initiated by former Governors Olusegun Agagu and Olusegun Mimiko. He noted that the Delta State Government has never intervened in matters concerning the Ebiwonjumi community. The spokesperson suggested that the recent tensions are linked to the area's economic value, especially its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and offshore oil exploration.

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The discovery and presence of crude oil have made the land economically attractive. But economic interests should not be allowed to destroy the relationship between neighbouring communities.

Appealing for a peaceful resolution, Ebiniyi urged the governments of Ondo and Delta states to facilitate direct engagement and bring elders from both the Ilaje and Itsekiri communities to the negotiating table. He stressed the desire to invest in peace rather than conflict, warning that a full-scale crisis would be detrimental to both sides. However, he also issued a stern warning that the community would resist any attempts to seize their land, stating that while their youths prefer peace, they are prepared to defend their territory.

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We want to invest more in peace than in crisis. Both sides will bleed if this degenerates into a full-scale crisis. Let them sheath their spears and let us go to the round table.