19 Ondo communities accuse Delta neighbours of land incursion

By Boye Oyeyemi

Residents of 19 coastal communities in Ugbo Kingdom, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have raised the alarm over alleged encroachment on their ancestral land by people from neighbouring Delta State.

The communities, which are located in an oil-producing area, said the alleged development had heightened tension and could threaten the longstanding relationship between the Ilaje and Itsekiri peoples, who have maintained ties through intermarriage, culture and social interactions.

Speaking for the affected communities, Busayo Julius Ebiniyi said the people remained committed to peaceful coexistence but would resist any attempt to take over their ancestral land, known as Odun Ebiwonjumi.

Ebiniyi said the communities had historical and political records to support their ownership claim, adding that government projects executed in the area over the years further demonstrated its connection with Ondo State.

He urged the Ondo and Delta State governments to urgently intervene by bringing representatives of both communities and their traditional leaders to the negotiating table, warning that economic interests should not be allowed to destroy peaceful relations.

Another indigene, Olumide John Ebiwonjumi, said the community had existed for over two centuries and remained part of Ugbo Kingdom. He appealed to the Ondo State Government to engage its Delta counterpart before the alleged incursions triggered a confrontation involving youths.

Similarly, a community leader, Orimisan Ebiwonjumi, alleged that some people from Delta State had recently entered the disputed area by boat. He called for immediate government action to prevent the situation from degenerating.

The community leaders stressed that dialogue remained the best way to resolve the dispute, urging the government to act swiftly to protect peace and prevent the longstanding relationship between the Ilaje and Itsekiri communities from being disrupted.