Voice Air Media News Update, October, 2023

– Major General Johnson Bamidele Olawumi (rtd) went to Ilobu Community to make land request for the construction of hospital project from Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olatoye Olaniran.

– The media allegation on contributing to the incident was just anchoring of an interview with one party.

– Okanla village where Ibrahim Qudus was killed is a suburb town of Ifon-Orolu, while the Opapa village which is the disputed land falls under Ilobu, but Ifon- Orolu community claim ownership of it which led to the clash between the two communities.

THE Nigerian Army’s meeting with Olobu of Ilobu to bring a medical facility to his ruling town under Orolu Local Government Area, Osun State, has attracted conflict between the community and Ifon-Orolu, who are opposed the plan, claiming that the proposed site for the hospital belongs to them.

The incident has been on air as many people are still in the quest of the reality of the incidence and digging deep to the issue on ground.

However, our correspondent has shields light on the pressing intercommunal conflict.

From investigation report, Voice Air Media learnt that Major General Johnson Bamidele Olawumi (rtd) went to Ilobu Community on the 26th of August, 2023 and proposed a hospital project to Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olatoye Olaniran who then ordered provision of land for the development. They finally settled in a site of about 500- 600km close to Hon. Basiru Yusuf’s house due to the the Major General request for a closer area for the project.

Unfortunately, Ifon-orolu learnt about the presence of the major general and alleged that he is inflicting conflict in Ifon land which led to a protest on the 27th of August, 2023 as Aasa of Ifon reportedly made a statement; “We are not ready for fight but we are set to fight if the chief of army want to cause crisis”.

The Eesa of Ifon, Chief Babatunde Oyetunji, said the community is not opposed to developmental projects, but said it would not allow its land to be taken forcefully for the sake of its neighbouring community.

*Military denies any involvement*

The Nigeria Army quickly denied any attempt to take over the land but admitted that a retired senior officer conceptualised an intervention project; a medical centre in Osun state which has not even been formally forwarded to the Chief of Army Staff for approval since the Department of Civil-Military Affairs at the Army Headquarters is yet to receive requisite information to enable it to initiate a comprehensive proposal for the project.

Investigation then stated that the effort to meet and settle the matter amicably with the secretary board of trustee of Ifon progressive union and Ilobu Development president, a chattered Accountant, Pastor Olufemi Salako was abortive.

*How is started (2005-2023)*

Trouble started over a parcel of land between the communities in 2005 and many were sent to the grave while a lot more were rendered homeless. The intervention of the state government under former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola halted the war between the two communities. Nobody knew that the halt was only temporary.

During the period of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the state government was fast in arresting the situation and all stakeholders in Ilobu, Ifon and Erin-Osun were called to the table for dialogue and possible solutions. But findings showed that the Ifon people did not consent to the agreement and the state government made a gazette in which the Ifon people alleged that their land was ceded to the Ilobu people.

*The first Press Conference of Ilobu*

Following Ifon-orolu protest, the people of Ilobu went on to debunk the allegations against their community on the 30th of August, 2023 and proved everything said against them is false. During that conference, it was stated that; “the land does not belong to the people of Ifon”.

*The first Conference of Ifon-orolu*

However, Ifon-orolu were not satisfied with everything and had another press conference on the 4th of September, 2023. They reportedly claimed that the statement made by the people of Ilobu was false and the land belong to them.

*Clarity On Allegation that Media Contributing to the Crisis*

– One party was interviewed
-The program was not free and not arranged by the radio station.

Our correspondent again revealed that Prince Jide Akinloye from Ifon-orolu also appeared on Rave FM and that made it seems like the radio station is making one-sided discussion and that is when another set of crisis occured on the 6th of September, 2023. Source speaking with one of the correspondent of Rave FM challenging them that “Is this how you will be anchoring your program now?” It was then revealed that the program was achored at N150,000.

Thereafter, it was learnt that peace reigned for some weeks and it was just verbal attack between the two communities, Ilobu/Ifon.

*Ilobu Community on radio station*

So, Ilobu Community also made a payment of N150,000 on Fresh FM. The program was achored by Akinkunmi Alabi, where they also made a statement about the incident that also led to the challenge on the government.
Again, Ifon-orolu appears on radio
Jide Akinloye, a prince in Ifon-orolu reportedly bought another slot for N150,000 to appear on Fresh FM and he was interviewed.

Unfortunately, after the interview, one Alamu Sodiq, who was a farmer in Ilobu community was allegedly killed by the other party.

On bringing the statement of the deceased farmer on air, it escalated an attack the two sides.

*The issue of Okanla and death of an admission seeker*

The people of Ilobu were said to have a plan in a meeting on how to attack the other party. And one man that is part of the movement when they are holding the strategic meeting reportedly leaked the information to the people of Ifon-orolu and following that, Okanla family compound where on admission seeker, Ibrahim Qudus was killed and burnt in a car with the house been set ablazed.

*First Government Curfew Order*

After the attack, Osun government, under the authority of Senator Ademola Adeleke ordered curfew in the two communities.

Thereafter, Rave FM invited both Ifon-orolu and Ilobu to discuss on the matter and that happened in the weekend following the curfew and peace reigns again.

The two communities was in their peaceful state not until the 5th Of October, 2023 that the crisis escalated again by Ilobu community and it was a big attack which led to loss of many people’s lives.

*The second Curfew Order by Osun State Government*

It was learnt that the killing started on the 4th of October till the 5th of October, 2023. Osun state government declared 24 hours curfew.

It was also learnt that, the people of Ifon-orolu retaliated when the curfew was ordered, attacked on Ilobu community, and destroyed five (5) houses.

*Fact-Check on Ilobu/Ifon Clash* 

-The disputed land is located at Opapa village in Ilobu, Osun state.
– Over 90% of people that are farming in Opapa are the people from Ilobu.
– Police visited Opapa through Ifon-orolu people and was amazed that the had to pass through Ilobu community before getting there.
– The distance of the disputed land is about 3.1km to the palace of Ilobu while it is more than 8km to Olufon of Ifon palace.
– The Osun state government has taken possession of the disputed land, pending the final settlement of the crisis.