Communal clash: Three Killed In Osun

Three persons were reportedly killed at Ifon and Ilobu communities of Osun State in resumed hostilities over land disputes.

A police source told The Nation in Confidence that the three deaths were recorded in the two communities located in Orolu and Irepodun Local Councils.

The state police command confirmed violent clash in the communities but remained silent on whether there were casualties.

However, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, told our Correspondent that one of his tribesmen was killed by Ifon natives.

He said: “An Ilobu man was killed today (yesterday) when some natives of Ifon went to the farm of our people in Oyo State especially at Ologele and Aganna.

“They later stormed the wooden gate area of Ilobu to fire gunshots but police have been drafted to the area.

Similarly, the Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressives Union, Prince Jide Akinyooye alleged that natives of Ilobu stormed Ifon land on the instruction of a monarch in the area to “sack our people from the land.

“This resulted in a crisis. They shot and maimed our people. I have reported the matter to the police authority.”

Yesterday’s clash created tension in the community as residents and shop owners scampered to safety which led to stampede.

Communal clash erupted in the communities last October resulting in many deaths and loss of properties such that Govenror Ademola Adeleke had to declare curfew in the two local government areas.

Contacted, the spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said: “We have sent our squad to the local government areas. They were briefed before they left. We are working around the situation.”