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Idaure Ondo Disturbances

Volume 495: debated on Wednesday 30 January 1952

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37.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the origin of the disturbance on 2nd January at Idaure Ondo in western Nigeria; and whether the land dispute has now been settled.

More than 400 people attacked with sticks and stones a survey party which was demarcating a boundary in conformity with a High Court judgment delivered in 1943. The use of tear gas proved ineffective and after 11 of the police had been injured, and the crowd had been repeatedly warned that they would be fired on if they did not disperse and one volley had been fired without effect, it was necessary to fire 27 shots before the crowd withdrew.

I understand that the demarcation of the boundary has since continued without incident.

The dispute was settled by a High Court judgment, and it was while a survey party was enforcing the High Court judgment after every precaution had been taken that this most regrettable incident occurred. There have been no further incidents.