By Seun Ajanaku, Reporting
NO fewer than 30 individuals have been injured in a violent clash between the communities of Ifon in Orolu Local Government Area and Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area in Osun State.
The conflict, rooted in a long-standing land dispute, has forced numerous residents, particularly women and children, to flee their homes.
The violence escalated in the early hours of Friday when assailants torched multiple homes and businesses, further deepening the destruction in the area.
Adeleke
Reports indicate that tensions had already been simmering before this latest incident, with locals from both towns engaging in skirmishes across villages and contested territories.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has, since, ordered immediate security operations to restore peace between the warring communities.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the Governor’s spokesperson, Governor Adeleke directed the joint security task force to intervene swiftly to stop the clashes and bring those responsible to justice.
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The governor condemned the politicisation of the crisis and instructed the task force to identify and prosecute the ring leaders responsible for the unrest.
He further charged the peace committee to revive the existing peace deal and work toward an immediate cessation of hostilities to protect lives and properties.
Expressing frustration over the repeated breaches of peace agreements, Governor Adeleke warned that his administration would take stringent action concerning the buffer zone between the two communities unless hostilities end immediately.
He is currently holding security and political engagements to find a lasting solution to the crisis, which predates his administration.
Meanwhile, the situation remains tense as both communities continue to trade accusations.
A group, identified as the Concerned Youth of Ifon Osun, Orolu Kingdom, shared their frustrations on social media, accusing Ilobu residents of targeting their homes and businesses.
“We can’t keep looking and watching Olobu and Ilobu people burning our shops and houses in the middle of the night any longer,” the group stated.
“We, the Youth of Ifon Osun Orolu Kingdom, call on the Osun State Government to hasten their steps and actions to sort things out.
“We have been patiently enduring the brutal attacks and destructive behavior of Ilobu hoodlums for far too long.”
They added that their king, Oba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola Ilufemiloye Akinyooiye III, the Olufon of Ifon Osun Orolu Kingdom, has consistently urged the youth to remain calm despite the ongoing aggression from Ilobu.
In contrast, Chief Leke Ogunsola, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, refuted claims that his community initiated the violence.
He alleged that Ifon residents had been attacking Ilobu farmers and villages since Tuesday.
“Since Tuesday, they have been attacking our people on their farmland like Agbere Onireke and Opapa.
“They attacked a chief with an attempt to kidnap him, but he was rescued by farmers around,” Chief Ogunsola said.
“On Wednesday, they went to a farm at Gbere to attack Nureni and Oseni Saluwudeen, burning down two motorcycles — which was reported at the police station in Ilobu.
“Yesterday evening, they went to Oke-Ekutu, destroyed all the houses, and set one on fire. They also attacked Akipanroro, Ganga, and Oke-Ayepe, burning houses and shooting at our people.
“Mostly children and women were caught in this attack; they caught us unawares.
“Our children and women are displaced now. We have been extracting bullets from victims at the palace through local means — about 30 so far, and more are still coming. Children and women are mostly affected.”
A video of the aftermath has been circulating online. You can watch it https://www.facebook.com/share/r/12FjYuFRatR/
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