Abuja:The boundary disputes between Edo and Kogi states have lingered due to vanished landmarks, competing claims, and community resistance.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adamu Adaji, Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), stated in an interview that although technical and administrative efforts have produced an approved boundary line, the implementation has faced resistance from communities along the corridor.
The boundary between Edo and Kogi was defined under Legal Notice No. 126 of 1954, establishing it between the Northern and Western Regions. However, some physical features referenced in the document have disappeared, complicating efforts to trace the boundary accurately. Technical experts have faced challenges using historical documents, leading to subjective judgment and continuous claims by both parties.
Efforts dating back to 2006 have been made to establish a clear boundary line, which has been approved by the Internal Boundary Committee for physical demarcation. However, resistance from communities along the corridor has persisted, with objections that the proposed line does not match their understanding of the boundary. This has prompted the commission to engage stakeholders for broader agreement.
Additional meetings have been held to address the issue, but some parties have withheld cooperation, presenting documents indicating possible boundary changes. This includes court judgments that had not previously been considered by the commission. Adaji emphasized the need to examine these issues and engage with the states to reach a common understanding.
The boundary dispute involves areas such as Ogori-Ekpedo, Okene-Okpella, and the Ake axis, where interpretation and demarcation remain contested. The NBC is also addressing farmland disputes between Ibaji communities in Kogi and Uloshi/Esan South-East in Edo.
In contrast, progress has been made on the Abia-Anambra boundary, with 15 kilometers of the 23-kilometer stretch agreed upon. The remaining eight kilometers remain unresolved, with strong claims and counterclaims from both sides. The commission has secured agreements to support efforts aimed at resolving the outstanding stretch, which could initially produce two lines reflecting respective claims before defining a single boundary.
Adaji urged cooperation among communities to prevent conflicts and stressed the importance of protecting property rights across boundaries. He called on traditional institutions, community leaders, and governments to promote cooperation and discourage actions that could trigger conflict. Adaji advised that boundaries are for administrative purposes, and people should remain free to live and own property across them.