OSUN: OVER 100,000 DISPLACED IN COMMUNAL CLASH, N2BN PROPERTY DESTROYED'. (PHOTO).

 Osun: Over 100,000 Displaced in Communal Clash, N2bn Property Destroyed’

Over 100,000 persons have been reportedly displaced following the crisis that erupted between communities in Osun State this week. The affected communities are still assessing the devastation following a communal clash that emanated from a land dispute that began on Tuesday, with properties estimated at N2 billion affected by the conflict.

According to reports, three persons, including a former councillor, were killed, while 30 others suffered gunshot injuries in the renewed hostilities between Ilobu (located in Irepodun Local Government Area) and Ifon (in Orolu Local Government Area).

In response, Governor Adeleke has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew and convened a meeting with the traditional rulers of the warring communities, set to take place on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the state government through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, it was announced: “Governor Adeleke has approved the extension of the curfew to Erin-Osun town. He has further directed all security agencies, including the Military, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Immigration, NDLEA, and Amotekun, among others, to expand their security operations to the affected community.”

“All the security agencies are to ensure strict compliance to the curfew, which is now 24 hours daily until peace is restored. “Meanwhile, we seek to bring to the attention of the public that old videos of communal conflicts in some parts of Osun state are being circulated by opposition elements to spread false pictures of insecurity in Osun State.”

The National President of Ilobu Development Union, Pastor Olufemi Salako said: “On Friday morning, greater parts of Ilobu Community at Ganga, Idire, Apiponroro, Olobu Market, Ayedaade were seriously invaded, houses and shops were burnt down and people of Ilobu were attacked with guns.

“Unfortunately, the Erin-Osun community has also joined from behind, confirming it is a pre-planned and pre-meditated attack on Ilobu Community. So, this time around, it is not about Ifon and Ilobu fighting over disputed land, it is about the determination of Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun Communities to completely exterminate the Ilobu Community.

“The ongoing carnage and killing, if not stopped, which has claimed several lives, displaced over 100,000 people, and destroyed properties worth over N2bn, started on Thursday evening. The attackers became emboldened as our calls to the Osun State Government, Osun State Commissioner of Police and the Osun Security Network fell on deaf ears.”

Meanwhile, the Ifon community through the spokesman of the king, Akeem Adekunle lamented that the security operatives that were deployed by the government were not enough.

Adekunle said: “As I am speaking with you, the situation is still manageable because the government declared a 24-hour curfew and we are seeing the presence of security operatives even though they are not enough. The same team that Ifon is using when we have an emergency is the same that Ilobu people are using.

“We heard gunshots from Ilobu people, we learnt that Ilobu attacked Erin people this morning and their houses. They are sufficiently attacking us. We have too many of the displaced people in our town.

“The video where Ilobu people mostly children and women are trooping out of the town is their strategy when they are ready for full-blown war. They will evict anything that can be a burden to them during the war and will remain only the full-grown men and their warriors to strike so that they won’t suffer any casualties.

“The Olufon attended the meeting but we are yet to be briefed about what happened at the meeting with the governor.“

Meanwhile, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Osun State Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement(APM), Adewale Adebayo have sued for peace in the warring communities.

Oyetola said: “This unfortunate situation is not only heartbreaking but also undermines the peace and development we have all worked hard to sustain in Osun State. I strongly urge all parties to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue as the only path to resolving grievances.”

Also, Adebayo said: “I want to urge the Osun State Traditional Ruler Council to help the State Government to bring lasting peace in the warring communities.”