Uneasy calm in Osun warring communities as monarchs receive warning letters of dethronement

There was a tension in Ifon and Ilobu communities, Osun State, following deadly communal clashes over a land dispute that prompted Governor Ademola Adeleke to impose a 24-hour curfew.

The violence, which later spread to Erin-Osun, claimed three lives, left 30 others injured with gunshot wounds, displaced over 100,000 residents, and caused property damage worth over N2 billion.

Findings by The Nation revealed that Governor Adeleke, during a meeting with the traditional rulers of the two warring communities, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, and the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, issued stern warnings, threatening their suspension if the clashes persist.

According to Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor cautioned, “Traditional rulers will be suspended if violence resurfaces, and anyone who breaches peace undertakings will face legal consequences.”

Meanwhile, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, High Chief Leke Ogunsola, confirmed that security operatives, including the military and DSS, are on the ground to maintain order.

He noted that the curfew is effective, adding, “In the morning, some people attempted to breach the peace by burning houses in Bobamu-Ori-Oke and Ayedaade, but security personnel swiftly intervened.”

He added that “At the meeting with our king, they talked to our people and threatened them. Our king, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan and that of Ifon were warned, they handed warning letters, warning the kings that they will be deposed if there is resurgence of any crisis again in their domain.”

Earlier, Olufon of Ifon, Oba Akinyooye in a statement called on the Olobu of Ilobu and the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuff Oyagbodun, to cease all forms of conflict and allowed stakeholders to restore peace and unity in the lands.

He said “I appeal to all indigenes of Ifon-Osun, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun, who have been affected and displaced by this unfortunate incident to return home with the spirit of community that we once enjoyed.”

Meanwhile, the Executive Director, Project Implementation at the Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, Mr Oluremi Omowaiye called on the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) to come to the aid of those displaced two local government areas in Osun State.

Omowaiye, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement to newsmen on Sunday lamented that over 72 hours after the crises broke out, there was not response in terms of provision of aid for those displaced from the Osun State Government.

According to him “Over 72-hour after, we can’t see anyone set up camp or provide any form of succor for those displaced in the violent clashes in Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun by the Osun State Government.

“These are people should be treated better and I find it hard to believe that authorities directly concerned are not acting yet.”

Omowaiye pleaded with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima who surpevises NEMA to direct the agency to come around and provide relief materials for the victims.

“I am also using this medium to call on ex governor and our political Leader HE Adegboyega Oyetola, to use his connections and goodwill to get immediate aid for these people.“

Also, the State Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon Adewale Adebayo urged well-meaning Nigerians to assist those affected by the war, saying “I believe the state government ought to provide a temporary camp for the victims of them war by now, because their house have been burnt and nowhere to return to.”