Alleged Expansionist Tendencies: Aragbiji Urges Tinubu, Adeleke, IGP To Caution Ataoja

…warns against plotting communal clash between Osogbo and Iragbiji

The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi on has uged President Bola Tinubu, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun and the Inspector General of Police to caution the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun on alleged expansionist tendencies.

He said the plot is capable of causing communal clash between the two neighbouring towns of Osogbo and Iragbiji.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Iragbiji, Oba Olabomi alleged that the Ataoja was laying claim to the land between Omu River which was said to belong to Iragbiji Community on the left on Osogbo/Ibokun road.

He emphasised that the boundary between Iragbiji and Osogbo had been settled since 1905.

He said “Appeals against the 1905 decision as well as Administrative inquiries all attest to the authenticity of River Omu as the boundary between Iragbiji and Osogbo. In 2022, Oba Oyetunji whipped up political sentiments laying spurious claims to Iragbijiland.

“Osogbo Community even took the matter to the State Boundary Commission, which eventually concurred with the earlier established Omu River Boundary. The Boundary Commission communicated the Aragbiji and the Ataoja of their findings. Since then, peace has returned to the area until few days when the Ataoja started a fresh threat to the existing peace.

The monarch expressed reservation about the action of Oba Oyetunji over what he called subtle instigation of people against Iragbiji through radio announcement instead of approaching the law court.

He said “I feel strongly that the Ataoja of Osogbo Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun rather than subtle mitigation of the people against Iragbiji through Radio announcement should be approach the law courts. If he has any iota of claim.

“The boundary between Osogbo and Iragbiji remains Omu River. No amount of intimidation, harassment or threat will allow the People of Iragbiji to leave any part of our Land to the Ataoja of Osogbo who is on an expansionist mission.

“Iragbiji people are peace-loving and have been responding to the Ataoja of Osogbo’s constant unprovoked attacks with calm disposition. However I hope the Ataoja of Osogbo will not push our patience beyond limits.

“I like to call on the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Executive Governor of Osun State, the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Security Service and all Nigerians to call Oba Jimoh Oyetunji to put a stop to his unabated expansionist tendencies lest he cause needless communal clash which is not good for our State.”