Residents of the 19 coastal and oil-producing communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria have appealed to the Federal and Ondo State Governments to urgently intervene in an alleged land dispute involving neighbouring Itsekiri communities in Delta State, South-South Nigeria to prevent an inter-communal clash.
They say the development is creating tension and could threaten the long-standing peaceful relationship between the two ethnic groups.
For generations, residents of the coastal communities have lived and worked around the creeks of Ugbo Kingdom.
But today, fear is growing over what they describe as alleged incursions by some armed persons from a neighbouring Itsekiri community.
The residents say the disputed area, known as Odun Ebiwonjumi, is part of their ancestral land and belongs to Ondo State.
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They linked the growing interest in the area to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and offshore oil activities.
Community leaders are now calling for urgent dialogue between the governments of Ondo and Delta States, as well as elders from both sides, to resolve the dispute peacefully.
For the residents, the concern is not just about land. It is about protecting their livelihoods, preserving their ancestral heritage and preventing the dispute from escalating into another communal conflict.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
