The Oyo State Government has initiated measures to address a longstanding boundary dispute between Oorelope and Saki-East Local Government Areas.

The peace meeting, convened by the state government at the Western Hall, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, involved representatives from both local governments.

Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, also the Chairman of the Boundary Commission, lauded the communities’ leaders for not resorting to vigilantism, emphasizing the importance of peaceful reporting of intrusions.

Lawal highlighted the historical nature of the dispute since 1960 and stressed the government’s commitment to resolving it without resorting to violence.

Lawal assured attendees that the government would mobilize the Office of the Surveyor General for a demarcation exercise and urged communities to provide documentary evidence to assist in the survey.

He emphasized the government’s role in preventing boundary disputes from reaching court and appealed for patience during the demarcation process.

“It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this very important meeting to put heads together for further appropriate action in resolving the boundary disputes between the two local governments. My attention was recently drawn to the issue of demarcation and the Office of the Deputy Governor has been handling the issue very carefully to prevent bloodshed.

“So, on behalf of His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, I can assure you that we are doing everything possible towards the demarcation exercise, hence the need for you to exercise more patience on the task before us. The government would mobilise the Office of Surveyor General to carry out the land boundary demarcation exercise. Whoever between the two communities has documentary evidence to assist the surveyor general in respect to the survey should make a presentation,” he said.

Representing the State Commissioner of Police, Superintendent Olaolu Adedokun expressed the meeting’s significance in signaling the government’s concern for its citizens.

He praised the Makinde-led administration’s support to the police and acknowledged their involvement in the out-of-court settlement of the boundary dispute.

Adedokun commended traditional leaders for maintaining order among the youth and pledged continued police efforts to ensure peaceful coexistence.