Ex-councillor killed, houses razed as Osun communal clash worsens

A renewed land dispute resurfaced between Ifon and Ilobu communities of Osun State on Friday, resulting in the death of a former councillor from Ifon Orolu, identified simply as Azeez. The report on how the former councillor met his death is sketchy, but a resident of Ifon who spoke on condition anonymity for fear of […]

A renewed land dispute resurfaced between Ifon and Ilobu communities of Osun State on Friday, resulting in the death of a former councillor from Ifon Orolu, identified simply as Azeez.

The report on how the former councillor met his death is sketchy, but a resident of Ifon who spoke on condition anonymity for fear of attack, said Azeez was confirmed dead at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo early on Friday, as reported by the Punch.

The report noted that during the bloody clashes involving the communities, many houses were reportedly razed. DIPHTHERIA

It stated that the media aide to Olufon of Ifon, Yusuf Adekunle, who confirmed the incident, accused Ilobu community of sponsoring the attack.

• PDP secretary: Crisis deepens after Supreme Court ruling
• THE BEARING: Why Tailors Don’t Fulfill Promises

The allegation was, however, dismissed by the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Adegoke Ogunsola, who said Ifon people launched attacks on the residents of the town, during which many people were injured.

Commenting further, Adekunle said, “The deceased is Azeez, a former councillor. Ilobu people have made several attempts to attack us and we reported to security operatives on different occasions. From 13th to 20th of this month, we had written petitions to the governor and the security agencies.

“All of a sudden, around 11pm yesterday, we started hearing sporadic gunshots again. They started burning our people’s houses.

“As I am speaking with you, I can’t ascertain the number of our people they have killed already. I can’t even say this is the number of the houses they have destroyed. They threw a woman inside her house and set it on fire.

“They attacked areas like Akinponroro, Odo Oje and all those border areas in our community. They even burnt a government-owned primary health care centre in the Akinponroro area.”

Speaking on behalf of the Ilobu people, Ogunsola said many residents of the community were attacked by hoodlums from Ifon.

He said, “The truth of the matter is that they started about five days ago; that was on Monday, to attack our people on the farms at Gbere Onireke and Opapa.

“They attacked one Liasu Ishola, who is a Baale of Opapa on Tuesday. They attempted to kidnap him from his house, but he called for help and the farmers around and the bricklayers who were helping him to rebuild his collapsed building rescued him from the hoodlums from Ifon Osun.

“On Wednesday, they went to Gbere Onireke to attack one Oseni Salawudeen and members of his family and one Prince Gbadamosi where he was working on his farm.”

Meanwhile, the Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has imposed a fresh dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities for the umpteenth time due to the fresh crisis.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor re-imposed a curfew on the two warring communities from 6pm to 6am till further notice.

“Mr Governor has equally directed that the joint security team, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any act of lawlessness,” the statement reads.

Also, Governor Adeleke has directed that a stakeholders’ meeting, which will include the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan and other stakeholders from both communities be held today, Saturday, March 22, 2025 to discuss further resolutions of the conflict. (PUNCH)