A former councillor from Ifon Orolu in Osun State, identified as Azeez, has been killed as violence between Ifon and Ilobu communities worsens over a long-standing boundary dispute.
According to the PUNCH Azeez was confirmed dead at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, early on Friday. However, the exact details of his death remain unclear.
The crisis, which has led to several houses being burnt, has raised fresh tensions between the two communities.
Speaking on the situation, the media aide to the Olufon of Ifon, Yusuf Adekunle, accused Ilobu residents of attacking their people.
“The deceased is Hon. Azeez, an ex-councillor. Ilobu people have made several attempts to attack us, and we reported to security operatives on different occasions. From the 13th to the 20th of this month, we have written petitions to the governor and security agencies,” he said.
“All of a sudden, in the middle of the night yesterday around 11 o’clock, we started hearing gunshots. They started burning our people’s houses. As I am speaking, I can’t ascertain the number of people they have killed or the number of houses they have destroyed. They threw a woman inside her house and set it on fire.”
Adekunle said several areas, including Akinponroro and Odo Oje, were affected, adding that even a government-owned primary healthcare center was burnt.
However, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Adegoke Ogunsola, denied the allegations, saying that Ifon people had been attacking Ilobu residents instead.
“They started about five days ago, on Monday, attacking our people on farms at Gbere Onireke and Opapa,” Ogunsola said.
“They attacked one Liasu Ishola, the Baale of Opapa, on Tuesday. They attempted to kidnap him from his house, but he called for help, and people around rescued him.
“On Wednesday, they went to Gbere Onireke and shot at Oseni Salawudeen and Prince Gbadamosi on their farms. Prince Gbadamosi was lucky to survive the gunshot.
“Yesterday evening, they went to Oke-Ebutu in Ilobu and started burning people’s houses. Security agencies are here, but they haven’t been able to stop the violence.”
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered immediate security operations to restore peace in the affected communities.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke instructed the joint security task force to take full control of the situation.
“The governor condemns the politicisation of this crisis and has ordered security agencies to go after the ring leaders,” the statement read.
Adeleke also called on the peace committee to step in immediately and end hostilities to protect lives and properties.
