The escalating communal violence between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State has taken a deadly turn, with the tragic death of a former councillor, Azeez, and several homes set ablaze in a fresh wave of attacks. The boundary dispute between these neighboring communities has intensified, leading to chaos and destruction.
The exact circumstances of Azeez’s death remain unclear, but sources confirmed that he was rushed to Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, where he was pronounced dead early on Friday. His passing marks the latest in a series of violent clashes fueled by long-standing territorial disputes.
During these violent confrontations, several homes were reported to have been razed, and the violence has left many residents in fear. Yusuf Adekunle, media aide to the Olufon of Ifon, confirmed the tragic events, accusing the Ilobu community of orchestrating the attacks. He claimed that Ilobu militants launched surprise assaults, burning houses and killing residents, particularly in the Akinponroro, Odo Oje, and other border areas.
According to Adekunle, the violence began late at night, with gunfire and arson spreading fear throughout the community. “As I speak, we can’t confirm how many have been killed, but homes, including a government-owned health facility, have been destroyed,” Adekunle stated, adding that they had reported the threats to security forces multiple times, yet the attacks persisted.
On the other side, Adegoke Ogunsola, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, denied the allegations and countered that It was the people from Ifon who initiated the violence. He claimed that, over the past week, Ilobu residents had been attacked by hoodlums from Ifon, with incidents including an attempted kidnapping and gunfire directed at farm workers. Ogunsola mentioned specific attacks on individuals like Liasu Ishola and Oseni Salawudeen, who were both targeted by suspected Ifon assailants.
The clashes have left the entire region on edge, with calls for swift intervention from security agencies. Both communities accuse each other of being the aggressor, and the violence has escalated to the destruction of private and public property, including critical healthcare infrastructure.
In response to the growing crisis, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered immediate security operations to restore peace. A statement released by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, emphasized the urgency of the situation and called on the joint security task force to act swiftly, aiming to halt the bloodshed and ensure that those responsible for the violence are held accountable.
Governor Adeleke also urged the peace committee to step up its efforts to bring an end to the hostilities and safeguard the lives and properties of the residents of both communities. With tensions still running high, authorities are under pressure to find a resolution before the situation worsens further.
