By Onozure Dania

Against the backdrop of the border crisis brewing between Ijegun and Ijedodo communities in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, LCDA, the traditional ruler of Ijegun land, Oba Nureni Alani Akinremi-Olomitutu, Kudebu 1, has appealed to the Lagos State government to intervene in order to avert the possible eruption of mayhem between the neighbouring communities.

Alani said the passionate appeal had become imperative following the action of some youths from Ijedodo community whom, he said, are laying claim to his ancestral family land at Ijegun.

According to the monarch who spoke to Vanguard Homes & Property about the brewing feud, the youths went to the extent of writing a petition against him and other members of Kujebu family at the Federal SARS, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, alleging that their lives were being threatened by the Kujebu family.

The royal father who said he honoured the invitation of the Police over the petition, pointed out that he explained to the police what transpired between the people of Ijegun land and the youths from Ijedodo.

According to the Oba: “Some youths from  ijedodo community have been laying claim to the land that belongs to Kujebu family. Since inception, Ijegun and Ijedodo are two different towns and the people of Ijegun have their land just as the Ijedodos. That is how it had been since the time of our forefathers, and they both lived in peace

“Also, it is not only Kujebu family that is in Ijegun. Other families such as the Ajaguns and Osobojas are on their lands. Ijedodo is another community entirely. That is how it had been since the time of our forefathers, and everyone lived in peace with each other. Even though, the land of Kujebu family was small, we never invaded other people’s land just as no nobody invaded ours.

“But to our surprise, our tenants on the land of the Kujebu came to report that some people from Ijedodo are demanding from them money for rectification, that the land belongs to them. And anytime these people from Ijedodo come to that land, they always come with weapons such as guns, cutlasses, bottles, axes and others, threatening that if the people of Kujebu refuse to do their bidding, it could result to violence.

“Their fathers know that this land belongs to Kujebu and every family knows where their land is. And the land that belongs to Ijedodo has been sold to one late Chief J. K. Adewunmi, but the man, Alhaji Almoroof, he gave the power of Attorney to is still much alive and he has never trespassed other people’s land in the area.

But I am surprised that some people from another community are laying claim to what is not theirs. I decided to report the unwholesome attitude of the warring youths at Area ‘M’ Command of Nigeria Police, Idimu”, the monarch noted.

He stated further that about three months ago, when the Igando/Ikotun LCDA wanted to put a sign board for the demarcation of the two communities at the border between the two communities, the same set of people chased them away and threatened to deal with anyone that attempts to do anything on the land.

The monarch who said he honoured the Federal SARS’ invitation when the threat of the police was becoming too much, added that he told the police the real situation of things concerning the disputed land and defended himself against all allegations of the Ijedodo youths.

He, however, said the police told him that the warring youths said they want to be collecting rectification levies on the land. He said he told the police that it is impossible because the land belongs to Ijegun people, emphsising that it is not possible for someone from Ijedodo to collect money on Ijegun land.

He stated that the police at Area ‘M’ Command had warned the youths to desist from laying claim to what does not belong to them, stressing that I am not   the one disturbing anyone, but the Ijedodo people are the ones claiming what does not belong to them.

Corroborating the Oba, Chief Jamiu Fadade, the Kudebu’s family and head of Ijegun land, Chief Lukman Akinremi, the Oluwo of Ijegun land and Chief Idowu Akinremi, collectively said those claiming to be the rightful owners of the land do not know what they are doing.

They added that that is why they are claiming what does not belong to them, claiming that the two communities have been living in peace right from the days of their forefathers. They stated that the action of the Ijedodo people is contravention of the law and their tradition.