Around eight individuals are feared to have lost their lives in a violent clash between the residents of Ilobu and Ifon communities in Osun State on Thursday, October 5. Tragically, the fatalities were reportedly caused by stray bullets discharged by security forces who had been deployed to intervene in the conflict.
A significant number of security personnel were observed at the entrances of both communities, while local residents were seen evacuating from the troubled areas through the Okini community. Notably, approximately 30 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were safely removed from these communities by the security personnel.
Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, confirmed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and three police officers sustained gunshot wounds during the clash and were currently receiving medical treatment. She lamented the burning of a new police patrol van by the agitators, emphasizing the officers’ efforts to restore peace in the region.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the Ifon community, Prince Jide Akinyooye, the Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union Board of Trustees, stated that numerous houses were set ablaze during the attack on their town. He attributed the ongoing crisis to a land dispute that emerged from a previous land cession gazette.
In response to the escalating tensions, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke issued a directive that neither of the two communities should have access to the disputed land. Speaking at a public enlightenment program in Osogbo, Adeleke declared the state government’s assumption of control over the contested area and urged the local leaders to collaborate to find a resolution.
To curb further unrest, the Osun State government subsequently imposed a curfew on the two affected local government areas, Irepodun and Orolu.
