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.
Providing details of the latest incident, the Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union’s Board of Trustees, Jide Akinyooye, disclosed that the violence erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
He criticized the attack, describing it as a flagrant disregard for human life.
He accused the Ilobu community of escalating the crisis despite ongoing government efforts to resolve the boundary dispute in the Opapa buffer zone.
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Akinyooye called on the state government to take decisive action against those responsible for the violence.
He commended the Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Peter Ipadeola, for restraining his subjects from retaliatory measures and urged the government to adopt firmer strategies to prevent further loss of life and property.
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.
He appealed to the government to intervene and protect Ilobu residents, insisting that his community has always been peace-loving.
The Osun State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.