A group under the aegis of the Esa-Oke Joint Action Working Committee has called on Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and security agencies to intervene in an ongoing land dispute involving Esa-Oke community and the settlement of Ido Aiyegunle.

The group also accused Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, of allegedly threatening and intimidating residents of the community over the disputed land.

The committee in a statement on Sunday described recent videos and public comments linked to Sunday Adeyemo as inflammatory and capable of disrupting peace in the area.

The statement, jointly signed by the Chairman of Esa-Oke Central Union, Otunba Yinusa Bamigboye, and Chairman of Esa-Oke Renewal Initiative, Prince Wumi Adeniyi, alleged that the dispute was reignited following the approval of an Oba by the Osun State Government over a farm settlement said to be within Esa-Oke territory.

According to the group, the matter is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction and is also being examined by an administrative panel constituted by the state government.

The committee alleged that some individuals were attempting to resort to self-help despite the pending legal process.

It further criticised the reported visit of Sunday Adeyemo to the disputed area alongside one Timileyin Ajayi, describing the development as provocative.

The group urged Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and other security agencies to take urgent steps to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

“The act of hiring a non-state actor as Sunday Igboho, and deploying him as a one man tribunal with the authority, apparently, to pass judgement and pronounce penalties, is wholly condemnable.

“A man who cannot intervene when children and teachers are kidnapped in his own state, has no moral standing to march into Osun State and wage war in another community. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms.

“We call on the Osun State Government to intervene without further delay. The provocation being directed at our peaceful people in Esa-Oke demands an urgent and decisive response from the appropriate authorities. We are acutely aware that certain elements may seek to exploit this crisis for political purposes, and

It also appealed to traditional rulers in Ijeshaland not to allow their institutions to be used in ways that could escalate the crisis”, the community said.

While calling on residents of Esa-Oke to remain peaceful and law-abiding, the committee said it had confidence in the rule of law and the ability of relevant authorities to resolve the dispute.

The group denied allegations circulating on social media regarding ownership of the disputed land, insisting that the claims against the community were false and misleading.