The communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu towns in Osun State has taken another shape as two persons from the Ifon-Osun town have reportedly been injured in a renewed attack.
According to reports, the victims were injured in a gunshot incident in the Apiponroro district of Ifon, Osun. According to accounts, Ifon indigenes claimed that the attack was carried out by members of the adjacent Ilobu community.
This accusation is supported by the Ifon Progressive Union, an umbrella organization representing Ifon-Orolu indigenes. While providing facts on the recent incident, Jide Akinyooye, Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union’s Board of Trustees, said that the violence began in the early hours of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
He stated, “Gunshots were reported in the Odoje and Golden Gate sections of Ifon, resulting in the displacement of several inhabitants. As of the time this information was issued, two people had been shot.
He condemned the attack, calling it a gross disregard for human life, and accused the Ilobu community of exacerbating the crisis despite continued government efforts to resolve the boundary dispute in the Opapa buffer zone.
“This brazen disregard for human life is unacceptable. The Ilobu community has continued to engage in violent clashes, endangering innocent lives.”
Akinyooye while commending the Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Peter Ipadeola, for restraining his subjects from retaliatory measures, urged the government to adopt firmer strategies to prevent further loss of life and property.
He also called on the state government to take decisive action against those responsible for the violence.It should be recalled that Ifon and Ilobu share a history of communal clashes often fueled by disputed boundaries, which have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property over the years.
However, Ilobu leaders have countered the allegations. The Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, accused gunmen from Ifon of attacking Ilobu residents in the early hours of Tuesday.
“Our people living in Ganga and Apiponroro called to report that gunmen from Ifon had laid siege to the area. Those attacked had no choice but to defend themselves.
At a meeting held on Monday, the Olufon issued threats against us.”He appealed to the government to intervene and protect Ilobu residents, insisting that his community has always been peace-loving.“We urge the state government to act decisively and protect us from these repeated attacks.”
At the time of filing this report, the injured victims were receiving medical attention.