OUR REPORTERS—As part of efforts to curb the activities of criminal elements and bandits in the state, the Ekiti State Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to non-natives allegedly occupying farmland and a border area between Isan Ekiti and Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area.
The government described the immediate evacuation as necessary to prevent any action that could compromise the safety and well-being of residents, especially at a time when incidents of kidnapping and banditry are on the rise across the country.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Monisade Afuye, handed down the order in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, while mediating on a land dispute between Eda Oniyo and Isan Ekiti at her office in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital, on Wednesday.
The troubleshooting action followed a petition written by Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola, complaining about the ceding of a sprawling parcel of land to people suspected to be non-natives by the Isan community, which they said could fuel insecurity along that axis.
Interacting with the stakeholders, Afuye, posited that Governor Biodun Oyebanji is working assiduously to provide a water force security for Ekiti residents, saying nothing will be allowed to thwart such actions being taken to ward off bandits and killers from the state.
The deputy governor added that it will be counterproductive and dangerous for people, whose roots and histories can’t be easily traced, to be apportioned any farmland in Ekiti for habitation or farming, with the ferocious level of insecurity in the country.
She told the monarchs of the two communities to immediately convey the message to the occupants to vacate the farmland and ensure that the order is wholly complied with.
“We all know what is happening around the country now. Eruku in Kwara State, where people were killed and kidnapped, is a few kilometres away from Eda Oniyo Ekiti, so we won’t take anything to chances. We won’t wait for our people to be killed before taking action.
“We are giving an ultimatum of seven days for those non-natives, who were alleged to be occupying the farmland, to leave. The two communities should go and evacuate them before they start spreading and posing dangers to us.
“The traditional rulers are our leaders; they are peace makers. They should go and execute the order without delay. We don’t want any problems in Ekiti,” she said.
Speaking to the petition written by his community, Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Awolola, said the continued presence of non-natives on the disputed land at Igbo-Ore farm poses danger to his subjects, commending the government for its action.
Countering the accusations, the Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, said his community has directed the farmers to leave after the 2025 farming season, contrary to the claim of the petitioner that the occupants will be there permanently.
Oba Adejuwon assured that his community will comply fully with the government’s order, since it is in the interest of the state.
