A former councillor from Ifon Orolu in Osun State, identified only as Azeez, has reportedly been killed as violent clashes between the Ifon and Ilobu communities flared up once again over ongoing boundary disputes.
The exact circumstances of Azeez’s death remain unclear, but it has been confirmed that he was pronounced dead at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, early on Friday, March 21.
According to a resident of Ifon, who spoke under the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, the violence has escalated in recent days, with several houses being destroyed amid the clashes.
In a statement, Yusuf Adekunle, media aide to the Olufon of Ifon, confirmed the tragic incident and accused the Ilobu community of sponsoring the attack.
He claimed that the Ifon people had repeatedly warned the authorities of potential violence, having submitted multiple petitions to the governor and security agencies from 13 to 20 March.
Adekunle alleged that on the night of the attack, sporadic gunshots were heard, and several homes were set ablaze, including a government-owned primary healthcare centre in the Akinponroro area.
“We started hearing sporadic gunshots again around 11 o’clock last night, They began burning our people’s houses. As I speak to you, I can’t even ascertain the number of lives lost or homes destroyed. They threw a woman inside her house and set it on fire,” Adekunle said.
The clash has spread to various border areas in the community, including Akinponroro and Odo Oje, which have borne the brunt of the attacks.
However, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Adegoke Ogunsola, dismissed these accusations, instead blaming the Ifon community for initiating the violence.
Ogunsola claimed that Ilobu residents had been attacked by hoodlums from Ifon in recent days, with several incidents reported, including assaults on farmers and an attempted kidnapping of a local chief, Liasu Ishola, in Opapa.
“The attacks began five days ago on our people working on farms in Gbere Onireke and Opapa, On Tuesday, they attempted to kidnap the Baale of Opapa. On Wednesday, they attacked our people again in Gbere Onireke, and one of our residents, Prince Gbadamosi, was shot but luckily survived,” Ogunsola said.
He went on to accuse the police of failing to intervene effectively, saying that their inability to act on the growing threat prompted the Ilobu community to take matters into their own hands.
“Despite the police presence, the situation has not been contained, We call on the security agencies to do more to prevent further violence,” Ogunsola added.
The escalating tensions have raised concerns among local and state officials, prompting swift action from the state government. Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed a joint security task force to intervene and restore peace between the two communities.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor condemned the politicisation of the conflict and called for immediate action to halt the violence.
“We will not tolerate the destruction of lives and properties, The joint security task force must move in without delay to arrest the situation, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure peace returns to Ifon and Ilobu,” said Governor Adeleke.
Adeleke further tasked the peace committee to resume talks and work towards an immediate cessation of hostilities, urging all parties to put an end to the violence and prioritise the safety of residents in both communities.
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