Ifon/ Ilobu: Community Leaders Allege More Attacks Despite Peace Talks

Despite the peace agreement signed by the Ilobu and Ifon communities to sheath their swords in the ongoing communal clash, leaders of the two towns have alleged further attacks on their indigenes.

Otun-Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, in an interview with newsmen, alleged that many indigenes of Ilobu farming in villages had been chased out of their farms by Ifon people.

He added that farms and buildings were set ablaze in some of the villages attacked by the Ifon people

He said, “There is peace in the two communities now, but many Ilobu indigenes living on farms in neighbouring villages have been chased out of their farms by Ifon people. They burnt their farms and destroyed their properties.

“Many of them have run back to town. We can’t access those villages because of water on the road. To get to those farms, we will have to go through Ifon. We urge government and security agents to invite us for another round of meetings.

“They will have to invite Ifon people too and tell them to stop the destruction of people’s property. They chased out Ilobu indigenes and destroyed their properties. The government should send a delegation to the affected villages to observe the situation. The affected villages are Oluode and Gbena.

“In Ologole village, they didn’t burn their houses, but properties were looted. An Ilobu indigene is the Baale of that particular village even though he was installed by Ifon people. There are other people trapped in some villages. No casualty yet, but properties were destroyed.”

Also, the Ifon community has accused people of Ilobu of destroying a house belonging to its indigene in Odo-Oje area of Ifon.

The regent of Ifon-Orolu, Chief Babatunde Oyetunji, in a statement, however, warned against such an act, especially now that a peace pact has been signed by the warring communities.

The statement read in part, “Therefore, we are restating the need for the Osun State Government to ensure adequate security cover for the lives and properties of our people.

“We are using this opportunity to appeal to Orolu residents to remain calm because there can only be meaningful development where there is peace.”

• Kazeem Badmus