OSUN: Adeleke Talks Tough After Resurgence Of Violence In Ilobu, Ifon Communities

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Tuesday vowed to fish out those responsible for resurgence of communal clashes between Ifon and Ilobu communities as the conflict extends to Oyo State.

THE WHISTLER reported how the two communities situated at Irepodun (Ilobu) and Orolu (Ifon) Local Government Areas of Osun State clashed several times over land dispute in October 2023.

The incidents resulted in loss of lives and properties before the Osun State Government declared a curfew to quell them.

Meanwhile, indigenes of the two warring communities has reportedly extended the hostility to villages in Oyo State including Waale, Agana Amoo, Abebi, Oloso, Ojeyemi, Idi-Iroko, Bara, Toolu, Ikimon and Bada villages which are farming communities.

The people of Ifon had also laid claims to some lands in Oyo State.

The communal clash resurged on Monday, resulting in the killing of three after attacks and counterattacks by the indigenes of the two communities.

Speaking on the latest incident, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, said, “one person who was Ilobu man was killed when some indigenes of Ifon went to the farm of our people in Oyo State especially at Ologele and Aganna. They later stormed the wooden gate area of Ilobu to fire gunshots but police have been drafted to the area.”

The Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressives Union, Prince Jide Akinyooye, alleged that “indigenes of Ilobu stormed Ifon land on the instruction of a monarch in the area to sack our people from the land. This resulted in a crisis. They shot and maim our people. I have reported the matter to the police authority.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Yemi Opalola, said operatives have been drafted to the affected communities.

Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after a security meeting held with stakeholders, vowed to punish those behind the resurgence of violence around Ifon/Ilobu areas of the state.

He said in a release by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed: I hosted a virtual security meeting last night. A physical meeting is now ongoing. We will not spare sponsors of this dastardly act.

“Any traditional ruler found to be fanning embers of violence will be removed from office. Requisite intelligence is being gathered on the extent of culpability of prominent leaders from the two areas. Since yesterday, I have issued relevant directives which are being implemented to calm the situation. All through the night, security teams have commenced de-escalation operations.

“We have dispatched security teams and further measures will soon be announced. This time around, those involved will pay the price in line with the law of the land.”