Coordinate 9°35′N 3°15′ECountry
NigeriaStateKwara StateTime zoneWAT (UTC+1)
Baruten is a Local Government Area in Kwara State, Nigeria, sharing a long border with theRepublic of Benin. Its headquarters are in the town of Kosubosu. It has an area of 9,749 km² and a population of 209,459 at the 2006 census.
The Baruten LGA includes a part of the Borgu Game Reserve.
THE Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State on Friday debunked reports that Benin Republic had invaded about 16 communities in the state.
Malam Abdulrasheed Lafia, the council’s Vice Chairman, who is also the Chairman, Local Government Boundary Committee, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kosubosu.
Lafia said issues surrounding the disputed Ogomue land had been resolved since 2005.
“The National Boundary Commission, after members visited the site in 2004 along with officials of the state and local government boundary committees, resolved that the land actually belonged to Benin Republic,” he said.
According to him, the news report was sponsored as no invasion took place anywhere in the local government.
The vice-chairman, said the news report was done to raise a false alarm.
In a letter dated Feb. 23, 2005, and addressed to Chairman of Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara from the State Government Boundary Committee in the Governor’s Office in Ilorin, reference number KSGBC/C.V/T2/431, signed by J.A Oriolowo, the Secretary, Kwara State Boundary Committee, and titled: Re: Alleged encroachment into Nigeria’s Territory by Benin Republic. “I wish to refer to your letter Ref. No BALG/S/LAN/4/1/92 of 23rd December, 2004 on the completion of the said structure situated after Moshi River along Shiya-Sandiro Road.
“The joint team of officials of National Boundary Commission, Kwara State Boundary Committee and Baruten Local Government Area, visited the site of the Illegal structure on 26th October, 2004 for field verification. The reports have been released to Kwara State Government by the National Boundary Commission, Abuja.
“From the reports, it was observed that River Moshi is the natural boundary in that area based on the 1960 description of the International Boundary and that site of the said illegal structure is across the River, and therefore, in Benin Republic.
“You are also requested to note that by the above 1960 description of international boundary, which recognized River Moshi as the Natural Boundary between Nigeria and Benin Republic, any place West of the River Moshi, is in Benin Republic, while those places East of the River Moshi are in Nigeria.
“The disputed site along Shiya-Sandiro Road across River Moshi is therefore in Republic of Benin.
“In view of the above development, you are kindly requested to use your office to inform the Shiya Community and Okuta Emirate Council that the disputed site is in Benin Republic.
``The Kwara state government will also appreciate if the decision of the National Boundary Commission in this regard is obeyed to the letter by the entire people of Baruten Local Government Area.’’
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