How We Averted Military Action Against Arogbo in 1998′ – F.J. Williams Ahead of July 4 Akpata Congress
Following the announcement by Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters that it will provide live coverage of the July 4 general meeting of the Akpata communities over the Akpata land matter, Chief F.J. Williams has shared his perspective on the historical background of the Opu-Akpatakubu land issue.
Describing the planned meeting as “a welcome development,” Williams said he had thought the matter had been resolved several decades ago.
According to him, the Opu-Akpatakubu land dispute was one of the major causes of the 1998 Arogbo-Ilaje communal war.
Williams alleged that the crisis began to escalate after the Akpata Community constructed a health centre which, according to him, was later demolished by their Ilaje neighbours.
He further recalled that, in an effort to prevent the conflict from escalating, the late Apostle Jemine personally visited the neighbouring Ilaje community on a peace mission. According to Williams, the revered community leader was abused, humiliated and eventually driven out of the community despite his efforts to promote peaceful dialogue.
Williams also recounted events during the 1998 conflict, alleging that he received intelligence concerning what he described as a plot, allegedly fuelled by propaganda, to persuade the military to launch an operation against the entire Ukparama axis of Arogbo Kingdom.
According to him, he immediately teamed up with the late Chief Chris Gomoraghi to visit the Headquarters of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, where they met with the military commander.
Williams said that after listening to their submission, the commander expressed surprise and informed them that he had already received directives from higher authorities to carry out an operation in Arogbo. He said the commander advised them to submit a formal memorandum within one week to enable him to engage his superiors before any action was taken.
He disclosed that he subsequently prepared the memorandum, detailing what he described as the root causes of the conflict, with particular emphasis on the Opu-Akpatakubu land issue. According to him, the memorandum contained what he described as detailed historical and archaeological evidence supporting Akpata Community’s ownership of the disputed land.
Williams said the memorandum was delivered within the stipulated period with the assistance of D.I. Kekemeke.
According to Williams, the military commander carefully studied the document and commended their presentation, stating that their intervention would help save lives and property. He further claimed that the commander later contacted him to confirm that, having reviewed their submission, the proposed military operation against the community had been suspended.
Williams further alleged that the claim to the Opu-Akpatakubu land by the Ilaje people is linked to the area’s unexplored but potentially abundant petroleum resources.
He maintained that Akpata Community, and indeed the entire Arogbo Kingdom, has a responsibility to defend what he described as its ancestral territory through legitimate and lawful means.
The July 4 general meeting is expected to bring together traditional rulers, community leaders, elders, youths, women and other stakeholders to deliberate on the Akpata land matter and consider the way forward.
Arogbo-Ibe Voice Reporters will provide live and comprehensive coverage of the proceedings, bringing members of the public timely, balanced and factual updates as events unfold.
