The never-ending communal clash in Osun State got even worse on Friday with about 30 residents getting shot and several killed in the renewed land dispute between Ifon in Orolu local government and Ilobu in Irepodun council area of the state.
According to reports, hundreds of people, especially children and women, were displaced in the ongoing land dispute.
This is as Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke has imposed a fresh curfew on the two warring local governments.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment.
According to the statement, the curfew which takes effect with immediate effect will be from 6 PM to 6 AM daily until lasting peace is restored.
Reports said several houses and shops were also razed in the attack which started in the early hours of Friday.
The Spokesperson to Olufon of Ifon, Mr. Akeeb Adekunle, alleged that the crisis has been brewing since last week following a series of attacks on Indigenes of Ifon by Ilobu, which were reported at the police station without any succour.
His words, “The incident escalated last night with hoodlums from Ilobu invading some of the disputed areas, especially Apenponroro burning a Primary Health Centre and residential buildings.
“An old woman was killed in the community and her body burnt in her house. Our people are running for their safety presently.”
Also, Chief Adegoke Ogunsola alleged that hoodlums from Ifon had been terrorizing Ilobu indigenes in the area and attempted to kidnap a victim before some people rescued him after crying for help.
“We have reported several attacks in the Apenponroro area in Ilobu by Ifon hoodlums to the Police, but we have not received any help. But Yesterday night, the hoodlums invaded the Ilobu community, shooting sporadically into the air and burning houses till this morning.
“We urge security operatives to come to our aide soonest to avoid carnage in the community,” he said.
GOV IMPOSES CURFEW
Meanwhile, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has directed immediate security operations to restore peace between Ifon and Ilobu communities, urging the peace committee to revive the peace deal.
In the statement, Adeleke enjoined the joint security task force to step in immediately and stop the clashes.
The governor, who decried the politicization of the crisis tasked the task force to go after the ring leaders and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.
He further urged the peace committee to ensure immediate cessation of hostility to preserve lives and properties.
The governor, who lamented the repeated breach of peace deals among the warring communities warned that his administration will take stringent action on the buffer zone between the two communities unless hostility stopped immediately.
The governor’s statement reads; “His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, has expressed unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the breakout of fresh communal crises in Ilobu and Ifon.
“To this end, the Governor has directed that the initial 10PM to 4AM curfew now be extended to 6PM to 6AM, effective today, Friday, 21st March 2025, until further notice.
“Mr. Governor has equally directed that the joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any act of lawlessness.”
In addition, the Governor has directed that an immediate stakeholders’ meeting, including the Olufon of Ifon, HRM Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye, HRM Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, the Olobu of Ilobu, and other stakeholders from both communities, be held tomorrow, Saturday, 22nd March 2025, to discuss further resolutions of the conflict.
Finally, His Excellency urges all sons and daughters of the two communities, as well as their traditional rulers, to follow the path of peace and harmonious co-existence. Anyone or group of persons found aiding and abetting the pogrom will be dealt with accordingly.
