Ibadan, April 22, 2025 — The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, in collaboration with the Olubadan-in-Council and prominent community leaders, has expressed grave concern over the deepening crisis at the Ibadan–Iwo boundary, attributing the unrest not to land ownership disputes but to intensifying mining activities in the area.

In a statement issued Tuesday following a high-level meeting at the Bodija residence of the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, stakeholders called for urgent intervention to prevent further escalation of violence.

The statement, jointly signed by Adeola Oloko, former Chief Press Secretary to the Oyo State Governor, and Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, clarified that while the area has long experienced border tensions, the root of the current conflict lies in unregulated mining operations near the Ogburo corridor—an area straddling Ibadan in Oyo State and Iwo in Osun State.

“What we discovered was that extensive mining activities in the area are fuelling the crisis,” the statement read, noting that the violence has gone beyond traditional territorial disputes.

According to the stakeholders, the conflict has taken a deadly turn, with reports of killings, kidnappings, arson, and the displacement of local authorities. “The Ologburo installed by the Olubadan has been sacked and unable to return to town,” the statement added, citing the burning of a grader belonging to Lagelu Local Government and the hijacking of Oyo State-owned schools and maternity centres, now reportedly converted into Osun State properties.

The statement also alleged the involvement of powerful factions in Osun State, supported by unnamed traditional rulers, in the contested mining operations. However, it remained unclear whether the mining activities are legal or illegal, as no operators were specifically identified.

Although the recent visit by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and subsequent arrests have helped to temporarily ease tensions, community leaders emphasized that the situation remains fragile.

“We know the government has been doing well, but more needs to be done,” the statement urged, calling on the Oyo State government to intensify its security efforts and investigate the mining activities at the heart of the conflict.

The meeting brought together a cross-section of Ibadanland’s leadership, including traditional rulers, political figures, and security experts. Among the attendees were Eekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Akeem Adewoyin; Ekarun Balogun and Senator Sharafadeen Alli, President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes.

Also present were Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, Special Adviser on Security to the Oyo State Governor; retired police officials CP Fatai Owoseni and AIG Sikiru Akande; as well as respected Mogajis and Baales led by Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori and Baale Isiaka Akinpelu.

The meeting concluded with a resolution to continue monitoring the situation and reconvene for a follow-up session aimed at assessing the security implications and devising coordinated responses.

Stakeholders pledged to keep the public informed as developments unfold, stressing the urgent need for a peaceful resolution and regulatory clarity on mining activities in the volatile border region.