Fatal Clash In Osun Claims The Lives Of Eight, Prompting Residents To Flee The Area
Approximately eight individuals are feared dead in a fatal clash involving the residents of Ilobu and Ifon communities in Osun State. The fatalities were reportedly caused by stray bullets fired by security personnel deployed to the area as hostilities resumed.
Access to both Ilobu and Ifon became restricted, with security operatives stationed at the entrances of these communities. The Otun-Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, representing the Ilobu community, reported four casualties, including an infant, on their side. He also expressed concern about the security agents’ reluctance to enter the affected areas.
The exact casualty count for Ifon could not be immediately ascertained, but residents shared images of four different bodies allegedly hit by stray bullets from security agents.
Prince Jide Akinyooye, speaking on behalf of the Ifon community, stated that several houses were set ablaze during the attack. He attributed the crisis to a land dispute resulting from a gazette issued during the tenure of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has issued a directive prohibiting residents of both communities from accessing the disputed land, which the state government has taken control of. Adeleke urged the leaders and kings of the communities to cooperate and address the situation.In the wake of the clashes, many residents have fled their homes in Ilobu and Ifon. The state government has evacuated corps members serving in these areas. Security forces, including soldiers, DSS operatives, and police officers, have been deployed to the entrances of the affected communities.
The Osun Police Command reported that a new police patrol van was burned during the hostilities, and several officers were shot, including the DPO of Ilobu. A curfew has been imposed on the Irepodun and Orolu local government areas by the Osun state government to prevent further escalation.
