A renewed land dispute has reignited clashes between Ifon, Ilobu communities in Osun State resulting in fatalities and injuries, including a farmer who was reportedly shot dead in the contested area.
Recall that there have been a long-standing boundary and land ownership tussles between Ifon, Headquarters of Orolu Local Government and Ilobu, Headquarters of Irepodun Local Government of Osun State.
In an interview with one of the correspondents, Chief S. Alakowe, a resident of Ilobu community, stated that the communal clash had long started in 2006.
Chief Alakowe explained that the dispute was in respect of a boundary land between the two communities.
He said that the two communities had been embroiled in clashes over the large expanse of land leading to the deaths of about 20 people and the destruction of farmlands and property between October 2023 and early 2024.
According to Chief Alakowe, the latest clash emanated from rumours that King Kabiesi Olaniyan sold part of the disputed land in other to send his son abroad to study.
The Chief added that the rumour had instigated the Ifon community to target the royal family as well as village chiefs of Illobu community.
However, in a statement yesterday, the National Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union (IPU), Prince Jide Akinyooye, alleged that gunmen from Ilobu attacked Odoje and Golden Gate areas in Ifon, shooting and killing two residents, injuring and displacing many others.
Prince Akinyooye added that despite the efforts of the Osun State government to resolve the land dispute by creating the Opapa Buffer Zone, the Ilobu community has continued to engage in violent clashes, putting the lives of innocent people at risk.
However, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, refuted Akinyooye’s claims, accusing Ifon-Orolu residents of reigniting the crisis by attacking the Ganga Akinpororo community near Golden Gate in Ilobu, killing, destroying property and forcing residents to flee.
Chief Ogunsola alleged that Ifon-Osun community had issued a threat signed by Jide Akinyooye, giving the state government and the Ilobu community a 14-day ultimatum to vacate the parcel of land or face a more catastrophic communal clash.
Also, a local resident, Chief Ogunsola, alleged that Ifon community enjoyed the support and backing of the Federal Government over and above Ilobu community.
Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered that the State Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi had called a peace meeting to resolve the latest crisis.
However, it remains to be seen if the meeting will bring about lasting peace between the two communities.
