Matter Arising: Ancestral Land Dispute Turns Deadly, Claims Lives in Kwara Amid Political Complicity
A longstanding land dispute between the communities of Osi and Epe-Opin in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State has escalated into a violent confrontation, resulting in the tragic deaths of two young men and leaving several others injured. The crisis, which erupted into full-blown violence on 26th March 2025, has plunged Osi Town into turmoil, with residents gripped by fear and uncertainty.
The conflict took a sinister turn when Ishaq Ogundari, a young man from Osi, was brutally murdered on farmland following an alleged altercation with an individual from Epe-Opin. Despite the shocking loss, the people of Osi refrained from immediate retaliation, choosing instead to maintain a fragile peace. However, the situation spiralled out of control the following day, 27th March, when suspected assailants from Epe-Opin launched an unprovoked attack on innocent passers-by within Osi territory. The violent clash left at least four people critically wounded, one of whom, Oluwasegun Taye—tragically a relative of the slain Tayo—succumbed to his injuries.
PIJAlance independently saw the gory scenes, showing the lifeless bodies of the two victims.
Multiple reports note that the Chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Hon. Wale Awelewa, who also holds the traditional title of Chief Oluomo of Epe, has done little to quell the unrest, despite being well aware of the ongoing hostilities. Many Osi residents accuse Awelewa of orchestrating the crisis, alleging that he is deliberately fuelling the conflict to seize control of the contested land, which traditionally belongs to Osi Town.
A report from 9jaParrot which has not been independently confirmed by PIJAlance, noted that a confidential source revealed that Awelewa masterminded a controversial invitation letter from the Nigerian Police Force to the Olosi of Osi on 18th March 2025, allegedly in a bid to manipulate the narrative and disguise the crisis as an isolated incident. The source also claimed that the embattled chairman had imported mercenaries, including armed thugs from neighbouring towns, to escalate the violence.
Reacting to the worsening situation, Seun Adeolu, a concerned resident, lambasted Awelewa, branding him a “hired killer and a heartless leader.” He called on political stakeholders, particularly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to escalate the matter to the state governor in a bid to secure justice and restore peace.
Similarly, Adebayo Olayemi from Osi issued a stern warning, declaring that those responsible for instigating violence would eventually face the consequences of their actions. He urged security agencies to intervene immediately and prevent further bloodshed.
Adding to the growing outcry, Comrade Babatunde Christopher, popularly known as BabCee, accused local opposition leaders of betraying the people of Osi. “There are no APC leaders bold enough to compel the Chairman to act decisively. Relying on party figures for intervention is a lost cause,” he lamented. He urged religious and community leaders to unite with relevant authorities to prevent further escalation.
In response to the rising tensions, prominent figures, including former Naval Chief Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan, traditional leaders, and the Osi Youth Council, have initiated peace efforts to defuse the crisis. However, residents of Osi remain on edge, calling on the state government and security forces to urgently intervene and safeguard them from further attacks.
With the community mourning the loss of their sons, the demand for justice grows louder. The people of Osi insist that only swift governmental action can prevent further loss of life and destruction, as they brace for what could be an even darker chapter in their struggle for ancestral land.
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Jimoh Taofik
Taofik is a Mass Communication lecturer, trained journalist, freelancer, editor, researcher, corporate communications and public relations expert. He has Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State and currently a Bsc student in the same discipline at Summit University, Offa, Kwara State. Taofik teaches Mass Communication at the Polytechnic, Ojoku, Kwara State. He is a guest-contributor for PIJAlance Magazine.