The Ifon Progressive Union, an umbrella body for the indigenes of Ifon-Orolu in Osun State, has alleged that two people were injured in a shooting incident in the Apiponroro area, purportedly carried out by individuals from the neighbouring Ilobu community.
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.
“Gunshots were heard in Odoje and Golden Gate areas of Ifon, leading to the displacement of several residents. Two individuals sustained gunshot injuries as of the time of issuing this statement,” Akinyooye said.
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.
“This brazen disregard for human life is unacceptable. The Ilobu community has continued to engage in violent clashes, endangering innocent lives,” he said.
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.
“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,” Ogunsola claimed.
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,” he said.
The Osun State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
PUNCH
