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 for 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 Ajuba 1, 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 State and Federal Governments to come to the aid of the people of Okuta villages as residents now lived in fear of possible attack.

Abubakar 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 Area 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 Area of the state.

He noted that the move led the then Military Governor of Kwara State, Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Abdullahi, and the then Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Colonel O. Ojokojo, to visit the area.

Abubakar also said a visit during the period under review prompted the hoisting of the 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 Gendarmes had fled the area until recently when they sent Nigerian Government workers in the area packing before establishing their presence through the illegal removal of the Nigerian flag and hoisting of the Benin flag there as well as as construction of Gendarmes office.

When Vanguard sought the reaction of the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media, Femi Adesina, on the development, he directed us to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who in turn directed us to contact the Kwara State Government or the Kwara State Police Command on the issue.

In his reaction, the Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, 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.”

Vanguard.