No fewer than 30 residents have been shot in a fresh outbreak of violence between Ifon in Orolu Local Government and Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State.
The renewed communal clash, fueled by a long-standing land dispute, has left several houses and shops razed, while many, especially women and children, have been displaced.
Sources reveal that tensions had been simmering for weeks, with sporadic attacks occurring in villages around the disputed land before the full-scale violence erupted in the early hours of Friday.
Videos circulating on social media show residents of Ifon, under the banner of the Concerned Youth of Ifon Osun, Orolu Kingdom, decrying the attacks allegedly carried out by Ilobu residents.
“We can no longer stand by while our homes and shops are burned in the dead of night,” the group stated. “Our peace-loving king, Oba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola Ilufemiloye Akinyooiye III, has been urging restraint, but the aggression continues. We call on the Osun State Government to act swiftly to restore peace.”
However, Chief Leke Ogunsola, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, denied the allegations, claiming that Ifon residents initiated the attacks.
“Since Tuesday, our people have been attacked on farmlands at Agbere Onireke and Opapa. A chief was nearly kidnapped, and two motorcycles were set ablaze. On Thursday evening, they rampaged through Oke-Ekutu, Akipanroro, Ganga, and Oke-Ayepe, burning houses and opening fire on residents,” Ogunsola alleged.
He further revealed that the violence had displaced numerous women and children, with local efforts ongoing to extract bullets from the wounded at the palace.
Osun Police spokesperson Akeem Adeoye, when contacted, stated: “We will provide updates soon.”
The situation remains tense as residents plead for urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
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