Boundary Dispute: Osun Warring Communities Still Adamant After Two-Day Violence

All is still not well between the people of Erin-Osun and Ilobu communities in Irepodun and Orolu local government areas of Osun State following the curfew imposed on the warring communities by Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

There were claims by leaders of the two communities that seven persons had been killed from both sides while some were critically injured. Also, houses and vehicles were destroyed by fighters from the two towns in the violence which ravaged the two sides from Saturday to Sunday.

The Osun State Government had on Sunday declared a 24-hour curfew and also drafted policemen and soldiers to restore peace to the communities.

It was gathered that some youths still attacked one another on Sunday night despite curfew and razed down buildings. However, there was an uneasy calm on Monday as the warring parties were eager to strike afresh.

It was also gathered that the state government and security operatives were holding a meeting with stakeholders from the two communities to broker peace as at the time of filing this report.

The Ilurin of Erin-Osun, Chief Olawuyi Adeleke, and Otun Jagun of Ilobu, High Chief Goke Ogunsola, while featuring on a programme aired by a private radio station, Rave FM, on Monday promised that their people would not fight if they were not attacked.

Chief Adeleke from the Erin-Osun community, said the Ilobu community were threatening to burn a new generation bank that was sited in their community and the palace.

He said, “On February, 6th 2021 when we visited the disputed land, we saw about 25 masked armed men, we left the area and after that they started to attack our people. They killed four indigenes of Erin-Osun including a commercial bus driver.

“They started to attack our people at the edge of the town. They started to burn houses, destroying cars, do all manners of things against us. Their actions escalated the issue. They destroyed our houses and properties. The name of the disputed area is Apata Gboore.

“The commissioner of police came yesterday (Sunday), he talked to us, pleading that government would intervene. There is fragile peace this morning in the area. They brought the police and soldiers.

” They ( Ilobu people) set on fire a lot of houses and are planning to burn our palace. We are not leaving the land for anybody, the government have gazette the land that it is our own. I appeal to those that are still holding weapons to drop it and embrace peace”

Also, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, High Chief Goke Ogunsola, from Ilobu community said his people would not hesitate to defend themselves if the other community attempt to strike them.

He explained that the case of the disputed land was still pending in court.

” We own the land.
Ifon Osun people sold the land to Ilobu people. Can the government give what they don’t have in respect to the gazette. Ifon-Osun sold the land to our people.

“On Saturday, 6th February 2021 around 1:30pm, Erin-Osun people mobilised gunmen to the land and destroyed about 100 houses of Ilobu people. Our people who were returning from Aro and Ara villages were shot, they were admitted at UNIOSUN Teaching hospital. Three of them are dead one of them is in critical condition. That was how it escalated.

“Everything is calm now, we don’t start crisis, it is Erin people that always start the crisis, but if they don’t start it, we won’t react.” He added.