COVID-19: Influx Of Northerners Spread Fear, Anxiety In Osun Community

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Palpable fear and anxiety have gripped the people of Ifon-Osun in Orolu Local Government area of Osun State over the alleged arrival of some strange persons from Kano.

The situation is causing sleeplessness for the people of the town, many of whom confessed that they were scared that the strange people, suspected to have come from Kano state might have contacted the deadly Coronavirus in their former residence.

CityMirrorNews gathered that the suspected residents of Kano arrived Saago Hausa in the sleepy town on Saturday, April 25th in a white Toyota bus.

Recall that Governor of the state , Mr Gboyega Oyetola, had on Sunday warned residents of the State not to receive any visitor during this period.

Governor Oyetola who urged the residents to support the state government in its bid to combat the dreaded virus in the state said the reported 12 newly confirmed cases of coronavirus were those who recently entered the state through its land borders.

Speaking on the development in the town, the National Publicity Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union, Prince Jide Akinyooye said the influx of the people has heightened tension in the community.

He said when the Babakekere of Ifon, Prince Oladepo Akintola summoned the Head of Hausa community in the town, Alhaji Sulaimon to explain what transpired, he was reported to have said that the people have gone shortly after they arrived the town.

Akinyooye said, “What happened is that we were told that some persons, about 30 in number entered Ifon from Kano and considering the latest happenings in Kano, we can’t afford to stand akimbo.

“The Chief at the Olufon of Ifon palace, led by the Babakekere called the Sarki Hausa to come and explain what happened. But he (Sarki) denied arrival of people into the community.

“He, however, said those that came have left shortly after they arrived.

Akinyooye said the explanation of Sheriki Hausa was not acceptable to the citizens of the community and called on the government to investigate the matter thoroughly to avoid sleeping on a gunpowder.

When contacted, Sulaimon, admitted that some people, mostly northerners but driven by a Yoruba driver enter their Saago (Hausa community) on Saturday, but he sent them back.

He said, “it’s true that some people came in 18-seater bus on Saturday. But immediately they came, I approached them to ask who they were looking for. They told me that they wanted to relax and go away but we insisted that they should leave and they left.”

When asked where they headed to, Sulaimon said “they headed towards Osogbo.”