Friday, 19 June 2015

Boundary Dispute: Kogi Govt Appeals For Peace Over Ibaji/Aguleri Dispute


The Kogi State Government has appealed to people living around the
disputed boundary between Aguleri in Anambra state and Ibaji in Kogi state to embrace peace.

The governor, Capt. Idris Wada made the appeal when he received the Director-General of the National  Boundary Commission, Dr. Muhammed Ahmed who was on an advocacy visit to the Governor over challenges faced by the commission in the on-going delineation of the boundary between Anambra and Kogi State.


The Governor called on the people of the affected areas to remain peaceful and cooperate with the National Boundary Commission to conclude the delineation of the disputed boundary between the two states as quickly as possible.

Capt. Wada who promised to reach out to the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Willy Obiano to also prevail on youths in the Aguleri area of Anambra state to embrace peace, assured the National Boundary Commission that the Kogi State Government will do everything possible to ensure the successful completion of the peaceful delineation of the boundary between the two states.

The Governor who recalled that the boundary between the states has being in existence since the days of the Northern and Eastern region of Nigeria noted that the on-going delineation exercise by the National Boundary Commission is aimed at defining the boundary properly, stressing that there should be no cause for worry by people
living in the disputed areas.

He called on the youths and elders in the areas to embrace peace so that the delineation exercise can be concluded as soon as possible so enable governments of the two states focus on the development of the communities in the interest of the people.

In his remarks, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Dr. Muhammed Ahmed stated that the boundary between Anambra and Kogi State has being existence for a very long time and that what is required is its proper delineation to prevent conflict
among people living in the disputed areas.

He noted that disputes have arisen about the correct alignment of the boundary and the commission is working hard to resolve the dispute, adding that the matter had received presidential intervention with a view to resolving the matter as quickly as possible.

He said the commission was in the state to seek further cooperation of the government and people of Kogi state on how to overcome the challenges hindering the completion of the delineation exercise, noting that development can only take place in the two states when
there is peaceful co-existence among their people.

He commended the Governor for his continued support for the National Boundary Commission in its efforts to resolve the boundary dispute between the two states.
In 2013, a presidential committee was constituted to resolve the boundary dispute between Anambra and Kogi state following a violent conflict between the youths of Aguleri in Anambra state and Ibaji in Kogi state.

This was followed by a meeting by Capt. Idris Wada of Kogi State and the then Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, members of the National Boundary Commission and the then Vice President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, where it was agreed that the governments and people of the two states will cooperate with the National Boundary Commission to end the boundary dispute through a peaceful delineation of the disputed points between Aguleri in Anambra state and Ibaji in Kogi state.

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