Border Tensions Ignite: Oluwo Condemns Olubadan’s Land Claims in Osun-Oyo Standoff

Tensions between Osun and Oyo State have escalated as the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRosheed Adewale Akanbi, dismissed the Olubadan of Ibadan’s assertion that the Oba River demarcates their border. In a stern rebuttal, the Oluwo labeled the Olubadan’s statement a “blatant distortion of facts” and accused him of inciting instability ahead of an ongoing mediation effort by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone XI, Emuobo Fred Ekokotu.

The Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, recently claimed that Iwo Town holds no legitimate claim to the disputed territory, citing the Oba River as the “established boundary” between Ibadan and Iwo. However, the Oluwo countered that the true boundary lies at Papa Ebira—a marker recognized since Osun State’s formation in 1991—and emphasized that the contested villages have been ancestral Iwo lands for centuries.

He further highlighted historical ties, noting that prominent Ibadan warriors—including Balogun Ali Iwo and Oderinlo—originated from Iwo, urging unity over territorial claims. The Oluwo called for compliance with the National Boundary Commission’s investigation and stressed that “peace is priceless,” appealing to both communities to respect legal processes and avoid further unrest.

Authorities are currently mediating the dispute to prevent violence, with the Oluwo cautioning against inflammatory rhetoric that could derail reconciliation efforts.