Ilobu and Ifon communities in Osun State have been gripped by deadly clashes, forcing numerous residents to abandon their homes in search of safety. The conflict has escalated to the point where even corps members serving in the affected areas are being evacuated by the state government. Security forces, including soldiers, Department of State Security operatives, and police officers, have been deployed to the entrances of both communities to restore order.
During a visit to the Ojutu Area of Ilobu, it was evident that residents from both Ilobu and Ifon were leaving the affected areas in large numbers. The clashes, which intensified overnight, prompted residents like Tajudeen Oyasope to evacuate their families from the strife-ridden zones.
Tajudeen Oyasope, a resident of Ilobu, shared his experience, saying, “I am moving my family out of the area affected by the communal clashes. My family is moving out, but I will stay back to observe the situation of things. Fight got so intense overnight. We could not sleep. We were hearing heavy gunshots. To prevent us from being caught in the fight, I have decided to move my family out.”
Similarly, corps members, including one identified as Cynthia, serving in Ifon, were relocated due to the escalating conflict. Cynthia stated, “I am serving in Ifon and because of the fight, all of us corps members serving in the town are being moved out to another place.”
The situation has taken a toll on law enforcement as well. Yemisi Opalola, the spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, reported that during the clashes, a police patrol van was set ablaze, and four officers were shot, including the Divisional police officer of Ilobu. Opalola lamented, “They burnt a new patrol van of police yesterday (Wednesday). They alleged we are taking sides. It is unfortunate that the Monitoring Section van that was donated to us was burnt. Our four men are in the hospital now; they were shot. The Divisional police officer of Ilobu was among those who were shot. He was shot in the hand. But thanks to God, they are all responding to treatment. They ambushed policemen when our men attempted to broker peace in the area.”
In response to the escalating violence, the Osun State government has declared a curfew in the two local government areas of Irepodun and Orolu to curb further escalation of the conflict and ensure the safety of residents.