Three persons were reportedly killed in renewed hostilities between Ifon-Orolu and Ilobu communities in Osun state.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that the fresh dispute started following the decision of Ilobu farmers decision to return to their farms over the alleged destruction of farm produce therein.
The Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Barrister Adegoke Ogunsola said the Ifon indigenes invaded farmlands in some villages that fall within Oyo state where Ilobu indigenes farm to destroy their farmlands at Ologele and Aganna.
“While shooting sporadically to disperse farmers two persons were killed, one Sulaiman Adegbenro and his son died at Aganna village. Later, they stormed the Wooden-gate area of Ilobu shooting and killing one person”, he said.
However, the Secretary Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union Board of Trustees, Prince Jide Akinyooye alleged that Ilobu indigenes were the ones who stormed Ifon villages disrupting properties.
“The situation led to a crisis and there were sporadic shootings in some villages where some of our people were wounded and we have reported the matter to the police for intervention”, he said.
Meanwhile, Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola in a statement on Tuesday, confirmed that only two persons were killed while two persons have been arrested in connection with the crisis.
“Unfortunately, two persons lost their lives to the incident and the corpses have been deposited in the mortuary at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital.
“Meanwhile one Mojeed Oyewumi Alani ‘M’ and one other who were arrested with Weapons and Criminal Charms by Police operatives for their role in the communal clash have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Bzigu Dali Kwazhi, mni, while commiserating with victims of the unfortunate incident appeals to the members of the general public, especially the people living in the warring communities to remain calm as discreet investigation has commenced”.
Following renewed hostilities between Ifon-Orolu and Ilobu communities in Osun state, Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the areas again.
The Governor had in October 2023 declared curfew in the communities as a result of the violent communal clash which led to the death of several people while properties worth millions were destroyed.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi on Tuesday, the Governor has approved a 6 pm to 6 am curfew to be imposed on the warring communities effective immediately.
It reads further “Following the just concluded state security meeting, Osun state government has taken the following decisions aimed at ensuring lasting peace in the warring communities of Ifon and Ilobu:
“That a 6 pm to 6 am curfew will be imposed with immediate effect starting from today, Tuesday, the 30th of Jan 2024 on the warring communities;
“The Osun state government should set up a joint task force of all stakeholders in the warring communities, which should include traditional chiefs of Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun with immediate effect;
“That a high-powered stakeholders meeting will be held with all traditional chiefs and rulers from the three communities with government officials and all security chiefs in attendance;
“That a contingent of all security personnel, comprising the Army, Police, and Civil Defence, be deployed to the warring communities with immediate effect.
While the present administration under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has mobilized all the necessary security personnel to the warring communities, he, accordingly commiserate with the affected people, who lost their loved ones in the wake of the renewed violence.
“Premised on the review of the security situation, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, has approved that the 6 pm to 6 am curfew be imposed with immediate effect.
“Finally, in this regard, anyone or group of persons found or caught doing or instigating any further violence, knowingly or unknowingly, in breach of lasting peace would be made to face the music, via necessary prosecution, in line with the dictates of the law of Nigeria”.