A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon.Wahab Haruna representing Yewa NorthII Constituency and other notable leaders in the Yewa axis have asked the government to provide more physical Infrastructure, in border communities, to tackle the disturbing issue of encouragement of Nigeria's territories by the neigbouring Benin-Republic
They called for the implementation of more infrastructural projects including access roads, health facilities and police station, to enable the residents enjoy democratic dividends.
The lawmaker who was on a fact finding visit was accompanied by former Chairman of the Yewa North Local Government Council, Tajudeen Amoo, Commissioner III in the State Civil Service Commission, Falola Gabriel, Baale of Asaga, Chief Ayo Adeleye, his Igbokofin counterpart, Sesan Olusoji and another community leader, Dr. Kunle Garb amongst others to the encroached areas including Asaga, Igbokofin and Omilende
Haruna expressed concern over the alleged illegal adjustment of pillars of the nation's boundary by the officials of the Benin Republic leading to encroachment into communities in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State
He assured the community leaders and residents in the affected areas of State Government's intervention through urgent engagements with the Federal Government to reclaim the encroached portions in the affected areas.
Haruna recalled series of harassment and detention cases that had resulted in unwaranted assaults on the residents of the communities
The lawmaker noted there had been age-long issues about the exact point of the boundary between Nigeria and Benin Republic, explaining that 'Pillar 78' had often been illegally shifted at six different times by the Beninese at night without official engagements with necessary stakeholders including the National Boundary Commission in Abuja.
He expressed confidence that the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun was capable of exploring all necessary avenues to find lasting solution to the problem, with an appeal for the utilization of the intervention projects comprising of school, health centre, market stall, mechanical workshop and police station facilitated by Senator Iyabo Anisulowo to the areas.
"Let us continue to sustain the existing peace and tranquility by not taking laws into our hands, the issue at hand is an inter-governmental matter that will be resolved through engagements among the relevant stakeholders both at the State and Federal levels", Haruna submitted.
In their respective submissions, Chief Adeleye, Olusoji and Garb explained that the basis for the encroachment by Benin Republic was to unlawfully take over the land, which had been discovered to be rich in mineral resources including gold, limestone and crude oil, adding that the Igbokoffi market was already being control by the Beninese, who had reportedly adjusted the pillars to their advantage.
They equally reported that pillars 74, 75, 76 and 77 were conspicuously missing with the removal of the nation's flag, thus calling for the deployment of additional security personnel to mount the boundary post as spelt out in the official survey.
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