The traditional ruler of Atijere Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Samuel Adeoye, has called on the National Boundary Commission to urgently intervene in the lingering territorial dispute between Ondo and Ogun states over the ownership of the oil-rich Eba Island.
The monarch made the appeal amid growing tensions surrounding the controversial island, which both neighbouring states have laid claim to in recent weeks, warning that the disagreement could escalate if not properly addressed through constitutional and peaceful means.
Oba Adeoye also issued a strong warning to prospective investors interested in acquiring land on the disputed island, advising them not to purchase land from any single community or kingdom until the boundary dispute has been conclusively resolved.
According to the monarch, any investment or land transaction carried out without the involvement and consent of all the affected communities and traditional institutions could create further conflicts and expose investors to future legal and ownership challenges.
He maintained that Eba Island remains an integral part of Ondo State and rejected claims by the Ogun State Government that the territory falls within its jurisdiction.
The royal father argued that historical records, traditional boundaries and long-standing administrative arrangements support Ondo State’s ownership of the island, insisting that attempts to claim the territory by another state would only complicate an already sensitive matter.
The dispute over Eba Island has recently intensified following competing ownership claims by both Ondo and Ogun states. The island, located within the coastal region shared by the two states, is regarded as strategically important because of its rich oil deposits and significant economic potential.
Its vast natural resources have attracted increasing attention from government authorities, investors and host communities, making the ownership question even more contentious.
While Ondo State continues to insist that the island belongs within its territorial boundaries, the Ogun State Government has equally maintained that Eba Island is situated within Ogun Waterside Local Government Area and therefore remains part of Ogun State.
The Ogun State Government recently reaffirmed its territorial jurisdiction over the disputed island, dismissing the claims made by the Ondo State Government as misleading.
According to Ogun authorities, assertions that the island belongs to Ondo State are capable of creating unnecessary tension among neighbouring communities and could undermine peaceful coexistence if left unchecked.
The government therefore urged all parties to avoid inflammatory statements capable of escalating the dispute while appropriate constitutional mechanisms are allowed to determine the actual boundary.
Responding to the development, Oba Adeoye stressed that the matter should not be politicised but resolved through established legal and constitutional institutions, particularly the National Boundary Commission, which is empowered to determine interstate boundary disputes.
He appealed to the commission to carry out a thorough investigation using historical documents, official maps, administrative records and other relevant evidence to establish the rightful ownership of the island once and for all.
The monarch further called on both state governments to exercise restraint and avoid actions capable of provoking conflict among the affected communities, noting that the people living around the disputed area have maintained long-standing social and economic relationships.
He emphasised that preserving peace should remain the priority while the legal processes continue.
Oba Adeoye also appealed to residents of the affected communities to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands despite the competing claims over the island.
He warned that any attempt by individuals or groups to exploit the situation for personal gain could jeopardise the peace that has existed in the coastal communities for many years.
The traditional ruler’s caution to investors comes amid growing commercial interest in the island, particularly because of its oil resources and other economic opportunities.
He advised developers, companies and land buyers to carry out proper due diligence before entering into any agreements concerning land acquisition in the disputed territory.
According to him, any genuine investment should involve consultations with all relevant stakeholders and should await the final determination of the ownership dispute to avoid future complications.
Observers say the intervention of the National Boundary Commission will be crucial in resolving the disagreement, as the agency is responsible for defining and settling interstate boundary issues across the country.
A peaceful resolution of the dispute is expected to provide clarity on administrative control of Eba Island while preventing further tensions between the neighbouring states and their host communities.
As both Ondo and Ogun states continue to defend their respective claims, stakeholders have continued to urge dialogue, restraint and adherence to constitutional procedures, expressing hope that the National Boundary Commission will provide a lasting solution that promotes peace, protects investments and strengthens harmonious relations between the two states.
