Osun communal crisis: 6 killed, 4 policemen shot, patrol van burnt

.As Adeleke sues for peace, seizes disputed land

Blessing Akorowosi, Osogbo

The ongoing crisis between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State has claimed the lives of at least six persons.
Our correspondent gathered that four police officers including a Divisional Police Officer were alao shot while their patrol van was razed on Wednesday night.
Several houses were also sighted to be burnt down in the affected communities which are headquarters of Irepodun and Orolu Local Government Areas.
Recall that the communal clash over land started in September after which the governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke declared curfew to arrest the situation.
The Police Spokesperson, Osun State Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirming the incident said that the DPO of Ilobu was among the four officers that were shot.
She stated that the residents accused the police of taking side with one of the communities, hence the ambush and attack of the personnel.
“They burnt a new patrol van of police yesterday. The accused us of taking side, it is unfortunate that the monitoring section van that was donated to us was burnt. Our four men are in hospital now, they were shot.
“The Divisional Police Officer of Ilobu was among those who were shot, he was shot on his hand but thanks to God, they are all responding to treatment. They ambushed policemen when our men attempted to broker peace in the area,” Opalola narrated.
However, Governor Adeleke has issued stern warning to residents of the warring communities to maintain peace after an inspection of the affected places.
Commenting on the matter during Ipade Imole in Osogbo, on Thursday, Adeleke declared that the state government has taken over the disputed lands in Ilobu and Ifon communities.
He noted that the Chief Of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has been consulted and asked to deploy military personnel to maintain law and order in both communities.
The governor expressed displeasure over the situation, calling the leaders of the communities to call their people to order.
His words, “I’m not happy with the development in Ilobu and Ifon. I was there this morning before coming around and I told the leaders that I’m not happy with their conduct.
“Why will you be killing people because of lands. This is very bad. I want to state that the government has taken over the disputed lands.
“As a government, we have seized the parcel of land in contention. The Osun State Government has seized that land and I have given the security operatives the order to deal with anybody who contravenes my directive.
“I have also obtained the assurance of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in this regard.
“He has promised to deploy soldiers to the affected communities to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police. Anybody who wants to cause mayhem, I am warning them right now to be careful. If it is sabotage, it will not work at all.
“These clashes are not helping anyone but rather chasing investors away to other states. It is sad that lives are being lost daily over what belongs to God and not man.”