In a grim turn of events, the tranquil communities of Ilobu and Ifon in Osun State have witnessed a surge in violence, prompting a mass exodus of residents from the affected areas to flee. The clash, which has sent shockwaves through the region, has forced both locals and even corps members to flee for their safety.
On Thursday, our correspondent ventured into the heart of the turmoil, visiting the troubled Ojutu area of Ilobu. What they witnessed was a harrowing scene of residents from Ilobu and Ifon, evacuating their homes en masse. The State Government, taking swift action, has begun evacuating corps members who were serving in these strife-torn areas.
The entrance to both communities now stands heavily guarded by a presence of soldiers, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, and police personnel, a testament to the escalating tensions.
Tajudeen Oyasope, a resident of Ilobu, shared his apprehensions, stating, “The communal clashes grew increasingly intense overnight. Sleep was elusive as heavy gunshots reverberated through the night. To ensure my family’s safety, I’ve made the difficult decision to move them out of harm’s way.”
Corps member Cynthia echoed his sentiments, revealing, “I am a corps member serving in Ifon, and due to the escalating violence, all of us serving in the town are being relocated to a safer location.”
In a concerning development, the Osun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, reported that the police had suffered significant losses during the unrest. She stated, “They accused us of taking sides. It is unfortunate that our Monitoring Section van, donated to us, was set ablaze. Four of our officers are currently hospitalized due to gunshot wounds, including the Divisional Police Officer of Ilobu, who was shot in the hand. Fortunately, they are all responding well to treatment. The attackers ambushed our officers when they attempted to mediate peace in the area.”
In response to the deteriorating situation, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has imposed a fresh curfew, restricting movement from 6 am to 6 pm in the warring communities. Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, issued a statement emphasizing the need to safeguard lives and property amid the ongoing land dispute.
This unfortunate situation continues to be a cause for concern, and efforts to restore peace and security in Ilobu and Ifon remain a top priority for both local authorities and the state government.
