Osun Communal Clash: Residents Flee As Fresh Hostility Erupts Between Ifon, Ilobu …Councillor Shot Dead

A fresh blood fight erupted between the people of Ifon and Ilobu towns in Osun State on Friday in which an ex ward councilor, Azeez was killed and properties were destroyed.

The former Deputy Speaker of House of Representative, Hon Lasun Yusuf’s house was said to have been attacked in Ilobu and he was rescued from the house by solders.

The fight over boundary between the two towns has become a recurring event resulting into lost of lives and sheer wanton vandalism and looting.

A residents of Ifon who who prefers anonymity while confirming the death of Azeez during the Friday clash said several petrol station were set ablaze in the towns.

The Governor, Ademola Adeleke declared Curfew from 6pm to 6am in the towns and directed soldiers and other security operatives to ensure 24-hour nonstop security surveillance in the towns.

The Governor summoned the traditional rulers of Ifon, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye and his Ilobu counterpart, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan to a meeting at 12 noon in Osogbo, the state capital, tomorrow, Saturday.

Adeleke lamented over the resurgence of the crisis in the warring towns and vowed to bring perpetrators to book.

Governor directed that the joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any act of lawlessness.

The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi urges all sons and daughters of the two towns, as well as their traditional rulers, to follow the path of peace and harmonious co-existence.

Alimi said anyone or group of persons found aiding and abetting the pogrom will be dealt with accordingly.

The Police Pubic Relations Officer for Osun State Police Command, Akeem Adeoye said the command has deployed policemen to the towns to restore peace and order.