Nigeria’s West African neighbor, Benin Republic, has hoisted her national flag on 16 villages in Okuta, a border town in Baruten Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, raising fears in the affected communities.
The reportedly affected villages include Ogomne, Bwin, Gandasunon, Kpuru and Woru Wuren Kparu.
Others are Ajuba1, Ajuba 2, Saka Yeruman Kparu, Monta, Dotin Kparu, Halidun Kparu, Yakubun Kparu, Sonsi, Gunosani, Alhaji Kparu, Yodo Mankparu and Simen Kparu.
The development has been confirmed by the Emir of Okuta,
Alhaji Idris Serio Abubakar, who said Nigerian teachers, dispensary workers and Immigration officials in Ogomue have been sent packing from the Nigerian villages by Benin Republic officials.
He said the Okuta Emirate Council has ordered the people of Yakparu axis to dismantle the Beninoise flag, which he said is currently in the custody of the emirate council.
The monarch, however, appealed to Kwara and Federal Governments to come to the aid of the people of Okuta villages as residents now lived in fear of possible attack.
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 Council of the state.
This may not be the first time this is happening, as the emir recalled that during the government of President Ibrahim Babangida, the gendarmes attempted to encroach into Ogomue, a village under Boriya of Okuta district in Baruten local government council of the state.
He noted that the move led the then military governor of Kwara State, Lt. Col. Ahmed Abdullahi, and the then Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Col. Ojokojo, to visit the area.
He also said a visit during the period under review prompted the hoisting of 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 Gerdarmes had fled the area until recently when they sent Nigerian government workers in the area parking before establishing their presence through the illegal removal of the Nigerian flag and hoisting of Benin flag there as well as as construction of Gerdarmes office.
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