Residents flee as Osun communities clash, troops set in

Following fatal battles between the two communities of Ilobu and Ifon in Osun State, many inhabitants have left their homes.

Our correspondent noticed inhabitants of Ilobu and Ifon evacuating the afflicted regions in great numbers while visiting the Ojutu neighbourhood of Ilobu on Thursday.

Additionally, our journalist noticed that the state government was evacuating corps members stationed in the impacted districts.

At the entrance to the two neighbourhoods, soldiers, Department of State Services agents, and police agents could be seen.

Tajudeen Oyasope, an Ilobu resident, said he made the decision to evacuate his family from the conflict zone as it got worse over the course of the previous night.

He said, “I am moving my family out of the area affected by the communal clashes. My family are moving out, but I will stay back to observe the situation of things.

“The fight got so intense overnight. We could not sleep. We were hearing heavy gunshots. To avoid being caught in the fight, I have decided to move  my family out.”

Also, a corps member, who identified herself simply as Cynthia, said. “I am serving in Ifon and because of the fight, all of us, corps members serving in the town, are being moved out to another place.”

According to Yemisi Opalola, the Osun State Police Command's spokeswoman, the police on Wednesday lost a brand-new patrol van to the chaos.

“They accused us of taking sides. It is unfortunate that the Monitoring Section van that was donated to us was burnt. Four of our men are in hospital now, they were shot. The Divisional Police Officer of Ilobu was among those who were shot. He was shot in the hand. But thanks to God, they are all responding to treatment. They ambushed policemen when our men attempted to broker peace in the area.”

Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has imposed a new curfew on the warring villages on Wednesday (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said, “Human and vehicular movement is to be restricted during the curfew till further notice. This is to forestall attempts of destruction of lives and properties during this period, because of the land dispute.”

Source