By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
ABEOKUTA: The Egba Eku Council of Chiefs has submitted the report of its findings on the protracted land and boundary dispute between Ikopa and Itoko townships in Egbaland to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, with the body directing the two communities to maintain the status quo.
The Council through its six – man reconciliation committee chaired by Chief Akanni Akinwale, therefore directed the Itoko community to keep to its boundary area delineated as Mile 8 while the Ikopa should keep hers identified as Mile 6.
The communities were also implored to co – habit peacefully and orderly as one united family in Egbaland.
The Egba Eku Council of Chiefs commenced the facts – finding task in September 2023 with the setting up of Investigation Team and submitted its report barely 15 months after.
The report dated December 11, 2024 and signed by the Secretary, Chief Olabode Kusimo, the Odofin Irowo, Ibarapa, was sighted by The Daily Crucible.
The Daily Crucible reports that the Egba Eku Council of Chiefs’ four – man Investigation Team led by Oluwo Idere, Chief Bamgbopa Adeyemi, visited no fewer than seven villages in its facts – finding mission to resolve the land and boundary dispute that dates back to the time of Oba Lipede.
The team listed the villages visited as Tirinmi Ikopa, Baabo Ikopa, Ikija Ikopa, Atoku Itoko village Ikopa, Anigilaje Ikopa, Odofin Isale(Galaxy Estate) Itoko and Morekete village Itoko.
The team also interviewed some of the villagers, including an octogenarian, Mrs. Abake Laoshe, who claimed that Tirinmi is an Ikopa village while the Baale of Odofin Isale Itoko, Chief Yekinni Sonde, told the team that Odofin is an Itoko village.
Chief Sonde claimed that Odofin has been in existence for over 200 years.
The body, however, identified quest for money making through land and landed properties without regards to the future implications as a causative factor to the land and boundary dispute between the two communities and urged them to sheath their swords for peace to reign in that part of Egbaland.
The Daily Crucible gathered that the Alake has commended the Egba Eku Council of Chiefs for its dedication and commitment to the task, and has assured that the Council’s findings and resolutions would be looked into for necessary action.
