The House of Representatives has stepped in to address rising tension over the disputed Eba Island–Atijere area, an oil-rich region straddling Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State and neighbouring Ogun State.
Presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on Wednesday, the House mandated its Committee on Special Duties to liaise with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and implement measures to determine the official status of the area.
The committee was specifically instructed to clarify the ownership of the Eba Island–Atijere axis, with the aim of restoring calm and ensuring lasting peace in the affected communities.
The resolution followed the adoption of a Matter of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Hon. Ojogo Donald Kimikanboh, representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Moving the motion, Kimikanboh highlighted that the area now known as Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje existed long before the pre-colonial era, originally referred to as Mahin Country.
He recalled that in 1885, the Paramount Ruler of Mahin, the Amapetu, signed a treaty with British colonial authorities that incorporated the territory, including Atijere Island, into the Colony of Lagos until the 1914 Amalgamation.
He added that communities such as Irokun, Igboedun, Eba, Obinneyin, Araromi Seaside, Mahintedo, and Itebu-Elero have remained under the authority of the Amapetu of Mahin, a First Class and Grade A traditional ruler in Ondo State, since that historic treaty.
Kimikanboh further noted that Atijere served as the administrative headquarters of surrounding satellite communities, hosting a Native Court as far back as 1933, with all vassal chiefs historically of Ilaje descent.
He stressed that infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, and schools, has historically been provided by Ondo State governments.
The lawmaker maintained that the Eba Oil Field in Ago Balogun Community is customarily and traditionally governed under the Atijere Kingdom, with the original inhabitants identified as Ilaje people.
He warned that misleading media reports suggesting otherwise have heightened tensions and could threaten peace in the region.
