Traditional rulers and stakeholders from various communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have rejected claims by neighbouring Ogun State over the rightful ownership of Eba Island, located along the boundary of the two western states.
Both Ondo and Ogun States have recently been in a dispute over the oil-rich island, with each state claiming ownership.
The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its territorial jurisdiction over the island in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, dismissing Ondo State’s claims as misleading and capable of triggering avoidable communal tension.
However, the Ondo Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, described the dispute as “astonishing,” noting that official records and decades of administration have long recognised the island as part of Ondo State territory.
In response, the Ilaje monarchs, under the auspices of the Ilaje Local Government Traditional Chieftaincy Committee, issued a statement on Thursday appealing to the Federal Government to intervene and prevent a potential communal crisis.
The statement was jointly signed by their chairman and secretary, Oba Williams Akinyomi, Amapetu of Mahinland, and Oba Femi Ogbaro, Odoka of Ogbara Kingdom.
According to the monarchs, claims by traditional rulers from Ogun Waterside and the Ijebu axis are historically inaccurate and contradict established administrative and geographical records. They insisted that Eba Island belongs to the Sunshine State.
“Eba Island, alongside Atijere and several surrounding settlements, has historically formed part of Ilaje land and remains under the jurisdiction of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,” the statement partly read.
The monarchs explained that historical records clearly mark the pre-colonial boundary between the Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje and the Ijebu (Ogun State) axis at the meeting point of the red and white sand at the Efire/Ofara River, a natural landmark that still exists.
They added, “Regarding the land dispute between Ogun and Ondo State, the way forward is to make the Federal and state governments aware that Eba Island is in Ilaje land in Atijere, Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State. We want a committee to be set up to prevent a crisis.
“We respect the Federal Government and the President of Nigeria for what is being done and trust that equity and justice will prevail. Our message to the Ogun Government is that they should remain where they are; we will not allow them to claim illegitimate lands. If the issue is unresolved, we are ready to pursue legal avenues. At the end of the day, if there is no compromise, the legal route will be followed.”
The monarchs also cited electoral evidence, noting that Lugboroko Polling Unit 24 and Basa Polling Unit 21, both located within the Eba Island Forest Reserve, fall under Mahin Ward IV in Ilaje Local Government Area.
They argued that the operation of these polling units within the Nigerian electoral framework further confirms Ilaje’s long-established administrative control.
Recalling history, the monarchs said that when the Mahin District was incorporated into the Lagos Colony in 1895, Atijere and the surrounding communities were part of the district. The creation of the Atijere Native Court in 1937 placed Eba Island and nearby settlements under its jurisdiction, reinforcing traditional and administrative ties to Ilaje territory.
They added that when Atijere became the headquarters of the Ilaje District Council in 1955, Eba Island and its environs were placed directly under its authority, a status that has remained unchanged through subsequent administrative structures, including the creation of Ilaje Local Government.
In his remarks, the Monarch of Atijere Kingdom, Oba Samuel Adeoye, called on the Federal Government and the concerned state governments to convene a roundtable discussion.
“There might be a need for both states to come to a roundtable discussion and be frank with each other. If they are not sincere or try to access resources that do not belong to them, the problem may persist.
“There should be a meeting point where both communities and state governments will sit down, look at all issues, and resolve them amicably. I believe God will give us the wisdom to do so,” he said.
While expressing support for the exploration and development of oil in the Eba area, the Ilaje traditional rulers declared that they would resist any attempt to annex Ilaje land.
They also called for an on-site investigation involving representatives of the affected communities and both states.
The PUNCH