At least 30 individuals have been injured by gunfire in a recent outbreak of violence between the communities of Ifon in Orolu local government and Ilobu in Irepodun council area, both located in Osun State.
Reports indicate that the conflict, rooted in a lingering land disagreement, has forced numerous residents, particularly women and children, to flee their homes.
In the predawn hours of Friday, assailants torched multiple homes and businesses, escalating the destruction in the area.
Sources reveal that prior to this latest incident, tensions had already been simmering, with locals from both towns engaging in skirmishes across villages and contested territories.
Social media clips shared by a group identifying as the Concerned Youth of Ifon Osun, Orolu Kingdom, expressed their frustration: “We can’t keep looking and be watching Olobu & Ilobu people’s burning our shops and houses in the midnight any longer.
“We, the Youth of Ifon Osun Orolu Kingdom, call on the state Government of Osun to hasten their steps and actions to short things out , we have been patiently enduring the brutal attacks and destructive behavior of Ilobu hoodlums for far too long.
“Our peace-loving and law-abiding king, Oba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola Ilufemiloye Akinyooiye III, Olufon of Ifon Osun Orolu Kingdom, has been calming our youths and advising restraint, despite the ongoing aggression from Ilobu.
“However, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to remain passive while our ancestral properties and farmlands are being destroyed and our people are being harmed.”
In contrast, Chief Leke Ogunsola, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, refuted claims that his community initiated the violence.
He countered: “Since Tuesday, they have been attacking our people on their farmland like Agbere Onireke and Opapa. They attacked a chief with an attempt to kidnap him but he was rescued by farmers around.
On Wednesday, they went to a farm at Gbere to attack on Nureni and Oseni Saluwudeen, burnt down two motorcycles which will reported at the police station in Ilobu.
Yesterday, in the evening they went to a place called Oke-Ekutu, they destroyed all the houses and set one on fire. They went to Akipanroro, Ganga and Oke-Ayepe, they started burning and shooting our people. Mostly children and women were caught in this attack, they caught us unawares.
“Our children and women are displaced now, we are extracting bullets in the palace through local means, they have brought about 30 to palace for us to remove the bullets in their body, they are still bringing more. Children and women are mostly affected.”
