Osun communities trade blame over communal clashes

Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State, on Wednesday, traded blame following deadly clashes involving the two towns.

The Osun State Government has imposed a curfew on the Irepodun and Orolu local government areas after communal clashes were witnessed on Wednesday.

While security men have been mobilised to the scene of the clashes, the Regent of Ifon, Chief Babatunde Oyetunji, in a statement by his media aide, Mufutau Muideen, accused the people of Ilobu of attacking Ifon.

The statement further read in parts, “It is unfortunate that two people have been shot by suspected gunmen who shot two people at Gbere-Odofin – Oba Road after they were identified as indigenes of Ifon and Erin-Osun communities. Unfortunately, Mr Taiwo Adetoyese, an indigene of Erin-Osun, has been confirmed dead while the other victim from Alasangbe’s compound Ifon-Osun is responding to treatment.

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“Thereafter, we called the attention of the Osun State Commissioner of Police to further threat by the Ilobu community that they are ready for war by killing our people. Moments later, the security team arrested two armed fighters from the Ilobu community and they were taken to the Headquarters of Osun State Police Command. Consequently, we are experiencing sporadic shootings at the same place where they were arrested.

“The true position is that the police have not mobilised enough personnel to curtail the situation while our people are living with fear. We are appealing to the Osun State Government and security agencies to hold Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, The Olobu of Ilobu, responsible for the ongoing crisis that is unsettling the people of Erin-Osun and Ifon-Orolu Kingdom. As of now, we cannot estimate the value of damaged properties and burnt houses!

“Orolu stakeholders are looking for an immediate intervention of the Osun State Government to guarantee the lives and property of the people.”

But while reacting, the Public Relations Officer, Ilobu Development Union, Tairu Babatunde, accused the Ifon people of sponsoring attacks on Ilobu which has left many people injured and displaced.

“What started like a rumour in the early hours of Wednesday has finally become a reality. People of Ilobu, especially those living at Oke-Ima, Idire, Apiponroro, Ganga, Oke-Awesin and Council Road woke up to a rumour of a planned attack by the Babatunde Oyetunji-led Ifon-Osun, but many ignored as they believed that the crisis that Oyetunji ignited about a month ago has been laid to rest.

“However, against their beliefs, armed thugs who have been identified as people of Ifon-Osun invaded their communities and started shooting sporadically. As of 7 pm on Wednesday, thousands of Ilobu people who are residents of Oke-Ima, Apiponroro, Idire, Council Road, Ganga and Oke Awesin areas have been displaced as armed hoodlums have started shooting at their houses.

“We again call on the security agencies to immediately put an end to this incessant attack on Ilobu by the people of Ifon-Osun. Arresting Oyetunji and Akinyooye will be a perfect beginning to end these unwarranted attacks”, Babatunde said.