IT seemed there is no end in sight to the crisis between the indigenes of Ilobu and Ifon-Osun despite the intervention of the Osun State Government to put an end to it.
The crisis had earlier costs the two communities nine lives before curfew that was partially lifted was imposed and peace pact signed.
In the current crisis, it was alleged that some Ilobu farmers farming in some villages under the Oyo State government were severely attacked and their food crops including Potatoes and yams were burnt while some were stolen.
According to the Press Release by the National Public Relations Officer of Ilobu-Asake Developmennt Union, Tairu Babatunde available to SOJ WORLDWIDE, he said since the the Peace Accord was signed by the two communities, Ilobu farmers had been under attacks.
Babatunde said, ”
“It is, however, disheartening and shocking that despite this olive branch extended by the people of Ilobu to our neighbors, most particularly, the people of Ifon-Osun, what we receive is more attacks, dehumanization, destruction of properties and harassment of our people.
This is very sad and it’s the only reason we have invited you here today. The world must know. Ilobu-Asake Development Union is an umbrella body for all sons and daughters of Ilobu and we owe it a duty to protect their interest.
Gentlemen of the Press, I want to tell you that since the ceasefire was declared, our people who are plying their trades in villages such as Oloso, Idi-Iriko, Owode and several other villages in Oyo State have not been allowed to witness peace. It has been attacks over attacks. Harassment and torture.
We believe this must stop. Several farmlands invaded by people of Ifon-Osun whose name will be mentioned by victims that are here today. We have also submitted petition to relevant agencies and the government.
Our Demands:
We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of everyone mentioned including Jide Akinyooye and the Eesa of Ifon, Babatunde Oyetunji.
We want to advise the State government that peace building is a process and not an action, we want them to continue engagement as no engagement has been held since October 6th when the peace deal was signed.
We also want the agents of the government, particularly, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Adekunle Omoyele to stop acting like an agent of Ifon people.
The recent arrest of tipper drivers in Ilobu which was coordinated by him without recourse to Ilobu Divisional Police who have been at the center of managing this crisis, necessitated this call.”
Alhaji Muibi Oladapo aka BABA ETO told SOJ WORLDWIDE Correspondent, that on the fateful day of November 29, 2023, he went to the farm along with some Journalists to balance their news reportage, unfortunately gunmen laid ambush on them, destroyed all his yams, potatoes and set his bus loaded with yams ablaze.
“We have to run for our dear lives when the thugs were shooting sporadically at us.”
Second victim, Mr. Bashiru Adegbenro narrated his ordeal to newsmen on how the Ifon-Osun residents destroyed their hamlets, crops despite the fact that their farms are situated in Oyo State and not within jurisdiction of Osun State.
“The Oyo State villages where we farm includes, Iganna-Amao, Abebi, Ologele, Olosho, Odeyemi, Idiroko, Baara, Toolu etc. These are the villages and they are not under Ifon-Osun.
Those who are terrorizing us that I can remember includes, Eesa, Lati Oko-Oye, Sunday Odeyemi. We want the government to come to our rescue, we are hungry and our children could no longer go to school.”
Another victim, Olawoyin Wakili said,
“On that fateful day, I went to the farm along Owode Road last Saturday, December 2, 2023 to harvest the remnants of potatoes left after they have stolen lots of it after the peace pact. Few minutes before Ifon, five Okada Riders were pursuing me, they asked me to stop, I asked them why. They said, “Have you not been warned not to come here again?” They now said, I should see Eesa. They pursued me to Orolu Grammar School where they laid ambush for me. They started beating me until I managed to run to Chief Aro’s house, Aro took me to the back to Orolu Grammar School at Agbekoya’s Office. Out of three bags of Potatoes I took from the farm, I was lucky to carry only one bag home, they forcefully took two bags from me. My body is full of scars from severe beatings.”
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He showed our Correspondent the scars all over his body.
Meanwhile, two groups held peaceful protests calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to come to their rescue as Ifon-Osun residents had been attacking them since the peace-pact was signed by the two communities.
PHOTOS OF DESTRUCTIONS AND THE PROTESTERS:
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Contact: 08023851511 or adesojiomosebi@gmail.com.
Soj, stop confusing people with your press that full of lies, you need to do some finding before you release press on social media, all the villages you mentioned are ifon osun, even oyo people knew.