Neighbouring Benin Republic has invaded 16 villages in Okuta, the
border town in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, causing
fear and tension in the affected communities.
In their determination to annex the Nigerian villages, Vanguard
reliably gathered that authorities of Benin Republic had gone ahead to
construct offices fot its gendarmerie (Police station) in the affected
communities and also hoisted the country’s flag.
Vanguard checks revealed that the development negated the boundary
delimitation of 1914 between Britain and France which the two countries
had respected.
The affected villages include Ogomne, Bwin, Gandasunon, Kpuru and Woru Wuren Kparu.
Others are Ajuba1, Ajuba 2, Saka Yeruman Kparu, Monta, Dotin Kparu,
Halidun Kparu, Yakubun Kparu, Sonsi, Gunosani, Alhaji Kparu, Yodo
Mankparu and Simen Kparu.
The Emir of Okuta, Alhaji Idris Serio Abubakar, who confirmed the
development in an interview with journalists, said the development also
led the Okuta Emirate Council to order the people of Yakparu axis to
dismantle the Beninoise flag hoisted in the villages, adding that the
flag was currently in the custody of the emirate council in the town.
The monarch appealed to Kwara and Federal Governments to come to the
aid of the people of Okuta villages as residents now lived in fear of
possible attack.
He said Nigerian teachers, dispensary workers and Immigration
officials in Ogomue had been sent packing from the Nigerian villages by
Benin Republic officials.
He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rise to the situation
before the Benin Republic authorities invade all Nigerian communities in
Baruten Local Government Council of the state.
The emir recalled that during the government of President Ibrahim
Babangida, the gendarmes attempted their encroachment move, claimed
ownership of Ogomue, a village under Boriya of Okuta district in Baruten
local government council of the state.
He noted that the move led the then military governor of Kwara State,
Lt. Col. Ahmed Abdullahi, and the then Commander of 22 Armoured
Brigade, Ilorin, Col. Ojokojo, to visit the area.
He also said a visit during the period under review prompted the
hoisting of Nigerian flag at Ogomue, with the subsequent construction of
a primary school, a dispensary and Immigration post by the Nigerian
authorities to give the villagers a sense of belonging.
He noted that since then, the Gerdarmes had fled the area until
recently when they sent Nigerian government workers in the area parking
before establishing their presence through the illegal removal of the
Nigerian flag and hoisting of Benin flag there as well as as
construction of Gerdarmes office.
When Vanguard sought the reaction of the Special Adviser to President
Muhammadu Buhari on Media, Mr Femi Adesina on the development, he
directed us to the Minister of Information & Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed who in turn directed us to contact Kwara State Government or
the State Police Command on the issue.
In his reaction, Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr
Ajayi Okasanmi said “the State Police Command has not been officially
informed of the invasion by the Benin Republic. But now that we have
been informed, the Command will act immediately and contact the nearest
police station to the communities to get feedback. We will then decide
what to do next”.
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