•Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State
Following the communal clashes between Ifon and Ilobu communities over land dispute and imposition of 24-hour curfew by Governor Ademola Adeleke, there was uneasy calm in the two local government areas of Osun State yesterday.
The communal clash, which later spread to Erin-Osun, claimed three lives. Thirty people sustained gunshot injuries, as over 100,000 people were displaced, while over N2billion worth of property were destroyed, reports The Nation.
Findings by our correspondent yesterday revealed that Governor Adeleke at the meeting held with the traditional rulers of the two communities, Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye and Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, threatened to hand over dethronement letters to them if the clashes continue.
Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said: “The governor threatens to suspend the traditional rulers of the affected towns if violence should resurface, while those who sign peace undertakings will face the law if communal confrontation reoccurs.”
The Otun Jagun of Ilobu, High Chief Leke Ogunsola, said: “For now, every where is calm. Security operatives, including the military, DSS and other personnel are on ground. The 24 hours curfew imposed by Governor Adeleke is very effective. In the morning, some people wanted to breach it by start burning houses around Bobamu-Ori-Oke and Ayedaade in Ilobu, but they were dispatched immediately.”
He added: “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 over warning letters to them, cautioning the kings that they will be deposed if there is resurgence of crisis in their domains.”
Olufon of Ifon, Oba Akinyooye, had 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 allow stakeholders to restore peace and unity to the land.
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.”
The Executive Director, Project Implementation at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Abuja, Mr Oluremi Omowaiye, called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to the aid of those displaced in the two local governments.
Omowaiye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement to reporters yesterday, lamented that over 72 hours after the crises broke out; there was no response in terms of provision of aid for those displaced by the state government.
He said: “Over 72 hours after, we have not seen anyone set up camp or provide any form of succour for those displaced in the violent clashes at Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun by Osun State Government.
“These people should be treated better. I find it hard to believe that authorities directly concerned are not acting yet.”
Omowaiye pleaded with the vice president, Kashim Shettima, who supervises 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, Adegboyega Oyetola, to use his connections and goodwill to get aid for these people.“
The state Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adewale Adebayo, urged well-meaning Nigerians to assist those affected by the crisis.
He said: “I believe the state government ought to provide a temporary camp for the victims of the crisis by now, because their houses have been burnt…”
