A renewed outbreak of violence has been reported in Osun State, with one person feared dead in clashes between
Ifon and Ilobu communities over disputed lands.
The violence, which began on Thursday evening, continued into Friday morning, with eyewitnesses reporting sounds
of gunshots and houses being razed.
According to the Spokesperson to Olufon of Ifon, Mr. Akeeb Adekunle, the crisis has been brewing since last week,
with a series of attacks on Ifon indigenes by Ilobu, which were reported to the police without any action being taken.
Adekunle alleged that hoodlums from Ilobu invaded some of the disputed areas, burning a Primary Health Centre and
residential buildings. He also reported that an old woman was killed in the community and her body burnt in her house.
However, Chief Adegoke Ogunsola, representing Ilobu, countered that hoodlums from Ifon had been terrorizing Ilobu
indigenes in the area and attempted to kidnap a victim before some people rescued him after crying for help.
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Ogunsola urged security operatives to intervene quickly to avoid further carnage in the community. The Osun Police
spokesperson, Akeem Adeoti, confirmed that police have been deployed to curtail the ongoing crisis in the area.
The clashes between Ifon and Ilobu communities are not new, with land disputes being a long-standing issue
between the two communities. The latest outbreak of violence has raised concerns about the need for urgent
intervention to resolve the disputes and prevent further loss of life.
The Osun State government has been called upon to take immediate action to address the root causes of the conflict
and provide adequate security to protect the lives and properties of the people.
In the meantime, residents of the affected communities have been advised to remain calm and avoid taking the law
into their own hands. The police and other security agencies have been deployed to maintain law and order in the area.
