TWO INJURED AS OSUN COMMUNITIES CLASH OVER BOUNDARY DISPUTE

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The Ifon Progressive Union, representing the people of Ifon-Orolu in Osun State, has claimed that two individuals were injured in a shooting incident in the Apiponroro area, allegedly carried out by residents of the neighboring Ilobu community.

Ifon and Ilobu have a history of communal clashes, often triggered by boundary disputes, which have led to loss of lives and property over time.

According to Jide Akinyooye, Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union’s Board of Trustees, the recent violence broke out 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 urged the state government to take firm action against those responsible for the violence.

He praised the Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Peter Ipadeola, for urging his people to avoid retaliation and called on the government to implement stronger measures to prevent further loss of life and property.

Meanwhile, leaders from Ilobu have denied the allegations. The Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, accused gunmen from Ifon of launching an attack on 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 has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident.