Residents Flee as Ilobu/Ifon-orolu Crisis Deepens in Osun

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

Four policemen were reportedly injured by a mob in the ongoing communal crisis between Ilobu and Ifon-Orolu communities in Osun State.

There has been a prolonged battle between the two communities over land dispute which had in the past claimed lives and property.

Few weeks ago, leaders of Ifon-Orolu raised alarm over a visit to some parts of the dispute land by a retired soldier whose delegation was led by the people of Ilobu who were alleged to be planning to site a project on the land.

The crisis took a dangerous dimension on Wednesday when one person was reportedly killed and several others were injured just as many houses and property were burnt.

This occasioned the review of the curfew earlier imposed by the state government to forestall escalation of the crisis.

Among the injured officers is the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Irepodun Divisional Headquarters while a patrol vehicle was set ablaze by the mob.

The communal crisis between the two neighbouring towns located in Irepodun and Orolu Local Government Areas of the state was rekindled on Wednesday.

This was after reports of attacks on residents of Ifon and Erin-Osun by unknown gunmen led to the death of one person.

Residents in both communities fled their homes as some houses were razed with gunshots sound from Wednesday night to yesterday’s morning.

Osun Police Command Spokesperson, Ms. Yemisi Opalola, confirmed that four policemen, including a DPO, were injured and receiving treatment at a hospital in the state.

She added that a patrol vehicle was razed as the Osun Commissioner of Police, Kehinde Longe, led other security operatives to the towns to enforce law and order.