Two Injured in Renewed Ifon-Ilobu Boundary Dispute as Communities Trade Blame Over Violence
The Ifon Progressive Union (IPU), representing the indigenes of Ifon-Orolu in Osun State, has alleged that two people were injured in a shooting incident in the Apiponroro area, reportedly carried out by individuals from the neighboring Ilobu community.
Ifon and Ilobu have a long history of communal clashes, often driven by disputes over boundaries, resulting in casualties and property destruction over the years.
Detailing the latest incident, the Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union’s Board of Trustees, Jide Akinyooye, stated that violence erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
“Gunshots were heard in the Odoje and Golden Gate areas of Ifon, displacing several residents. Two individuals sustained gunshot injuries during the attack,” Akinyooye said, condemning the violence as a disregard for human life.
He accused the Ilobu community of exacerbating the conflict, despite ongoing government efforts to resolve the boundary dispute in the Opapa buffer zone. Akinyooye called on the state government to take decisive action against those responsible for the violence and commended the Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Peter Ipadeola, for urging his subjects to exercise restraint. He also encouraged the government to adopt firmer measures to prevent further loss of life and property.
In response, Ilobu leaders denied the allegations. The Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, accused gunmen from Ifon of attacking Ilobu residents early Tuesday morning.
“Our people in Ganga and Apiponroro reported that gunmen from Ifon had laid siege to the area, forcing them to defend themselves. At a meeting held on Monday, the Olufon issued threats against us,” Ogunsola claimed.
He appealed to the government to intervene and ensure the safety of Ilobu residents, asserting that Ilobu has always been a peace-loving community.
“We call on the state government to take decisive steps to protect us from these repeated attacks,” Ogunsola said.
The Osun State Government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
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