Violence Erupts Between Neighboring Communities in Osun State
The Ilobu-Asake Development Union, representing indigenes of Ilobu in Osun State, has accused individuals from the neighboring Ifon community of shooting and killing a student of Westland Polytechnic, Ilobu. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday afternoon, prior to the announcement of a curfew by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
According to a statement by the union’s National President, Mr. Olufemi Salako, armed assailants from Ifon invaded the Ganga and Oke-Ima areas of Ilobu around 11 a.m., indiscriminately shooting at residents. During the attack, a student from the Department of Computer Science at Westland Polytechnic was allegedly shot and killed.
Details of the Alleged Attack
The statement described the attackers as “armed-to-the-teeth hoodlums” who stormed the inner streets of Ilobu, wreaking havoc and targeting both people and property.
“The attackers shot an innocent and harmless student of the polytechnic located at the Oke-Ima area of Ilobu. The armed hoodlums entered Ganga and Oke-Ima and began shooting indiscriminately, causing fear and chaos in the community,” Salako said.
Salako also highlighted the proximity of the attack to the palace of the Olobu of Ilobu, emphasizing that prominent individuals, including former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuff, reside in the affected areas.
Call for Government Intervention
The Ilobu-Asake Development Union has urged the Osun State Government to take immediate action, including summoning the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Ipadeola, to account for the alleged violence. Salako warned that the patience of the Ilobu community was being tested to its limits, and decisive intervention was necessary to prevent further escalation.
Ifon Community Denies Allegations
Responding to the accusations, the Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union, Jide Akinyooye, refuted the claims, alleging instead that hoodlums from Ilobu had seized and destroyed three motorcycles belonging to residents of Ifon.
“They are not being truthful. We didn’t go to their town. Hoodlums sent from Ilobu today seized and destroyed three motorcycles belonging to Ifon people. Our people in Ifon didn’t attack or shoot anyone,” Akinyooye stated.
He called on security agencies to investigate the allegations thoroughly and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Police Response Unavailable
Efforts to reach the Osun State Police Command for an update on the security situation were unsuccessful. Calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, went unanswered, and a message sent to her was yet to receive a response at the time of this report.
Community Tensions Escalate
The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Ilobu and Ifon, two neighboring communities in Osun State with a history of disputes. Residents are calling for increased security measures and proactive government action to prevent further violence.
Urgent Need for Resolution
Community leaders and stakeholders are urging dialogue and mediation to address the underlying issues fueling the conflict. Without immediate and effective intervention, there are fears that the situation could spiral into a larger crisis, further endangering lives and property in the affected areas.
As investigations continue, the tragic killing of the student and the allegations of retaliatory attacks highlight the urgent need for peace-building efforts and accountability to restore harmony between Ilobu and Ifon.
