Govt. Wades In As Death Toll In Ifon/Ilobu Clash Turns 8 And Other Top News In Osun Today

Developments in the state on Friday covered community, crime and governance related issues. Our reporter, Kazeem Badmus reports that the following items shaped the discourse today on both local, mainstream and social media.

1: 8 Killed in Ifon/Ilobu Communal Clash

About eight people were reportedly killed in the ongoing communal clash between Ilobu and Ifon communities in Osun State on Thursday.

Osun Defender gathered that those killed were said to have been hit by stray bullets fired by the security operatives deployed to the affected communities, following the resumption of hostilities.

Speaking with newsmen on behalf of Ilobu, the Otun-Jagun of Ilobu community, Chief Leke Ogunsola, disclosed that four lives, including a baby, had been lost to the crisis on the side of the town.

The Secretary, Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union, Board of Trustees, Prince Jide Akinyooye, who talked to journalists on behalf of the Ifon community, said several houses were razed during the attack on the town.

2: Amotekun Arrests 4 For Vandalising Osun LG Secretariat

Operatives of the South West Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, Osun Command, on Thursday arrested four suspects for allegedly breaking into the Ola-Oluwa Local Government Secretariat, vandalising and stealing property of the local government in the process.

A statement by Osun Amotekun Commander, Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, noted that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the corps from the Iwo Area Command.

According to Adewinmbi, “On Wednesday morning, four suspects burgled and vandalised Ola-Oluwa Local Government Secretariat in Telemu, and stole Aluminium sheets, Iron tables, and some wheelchairs.

“Luck, however, ran out against them after operatives of Amotekun, after receiving a distress call from residents of the area, went after them and arrested two of the suspects escaping the scene with the stolen items.”

3: Group Calls For Strict Compliance To Teachers Retirement Age

The Committee for the Defence Of Human Rights (CDHR), Osun State Chapter, has called on the state government to adhere strictly to the policy guidelines on the new retirement age of teachers.

Chairman of the CDHR in the State, Comrade Emmanuel Olowu, in a letter addressed to the office of the Head of Service, said there is the need for the full implementation of the policy guidelines to ensure new breeds and energetic fresh graduates are given employment.

Olowu, in the letter obtained by Osun Defender yesterday, noted that the implementation will also help the government to understand the cost of paying the salary of a level 17 staff which can pay the salaries of three fresh graduates.