Ifon/Ilobu crisis: Three die, properties destroyed in Osun

Three persons have been reportedly killed in a fresh bloody clashes that erupted between Ifon and Ilobu communities of Osun State on Monday.

The bloody clash has also left properties destroyed with residents of the two communities fleeing for safety.

The two communities located in Orolu and Irepodun local government areas of the State have over the years resorted to bloody clashes over unresolved boundary issues.

It was gathered that some people from the two communities clashed in villages on the border of Osun and Oyo States before the fight spread to the towns.

As the news of the trouble spreads, residents in both communities scamper to safety, those who could leave the towns left also shop owners put their shops under lock and key.

Among the villages where the trouble has happened are Idiroko, Wale, Iranyin and so on.
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Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, who spoke on the latest incident alleged that hoodlums from Ifon attacked Ilobu farmers in Ologele and Aganna villages, and during the clash shot dead a farmer, while others were injured.

He said: “An Ilobu man was killed today (yesterday) when some natives 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.

But the Secretary, Ifon Progressive Union Board of Trustees, Prince Jide Akinyooye, alleged that hoodlums from Ilobu attacked indigenes of the town and injured many of them.

Akinyooye said, “This resulted in a crisis. They shot and maimed our people. I have reported the matter to the police authority.”

“Yesterday’s (Monday) clash created tension in the community as residents and shop owners scampered to safety which led to stampede.”

It would be recalled that the State Government in last year October imposed a 24-hour curfew on the communities after the clashes led to loss of lives and destruction of properties.

However, the curfew was lifted last December after the return of relative peace to the areas.

The Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, SP Yemisi Opalola, said personnel had been deployed to the area to prevent escalation.

She said, “We have deployed men to the communities. We are already working on the issues. I will brief you on further development.”