Communal Clash: Ifon-Osun Community Accuses Ilobu Group Of Attacks, Demands Government Action

The Ifon-Osun Progressive Union has raised the alarm over a series of violent attacks allegedly carried out by some armed individuals from Ilobu, whom they claimed were acting on the directive of the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan II.

In a statement signed by Alhaji W. O. Idowu, Chairman of the Ifon-Osun Progressive Union (Home Branch), and Mr. Adejumo Jamiu Adewuyi, Secretary of the union, the group accused the attackers—referred to as the “Ilobu killer squad”—of brutally assaulting farmers working on Ifon-Osun farmlands.

The statement alleged that the assailants wielded dangerous weapons, including machetes and guns, and inflicted serious injuries on defenseless farmers.

“This is yet another unprovoked attack on our people. Our farmers, who were peacefully working on Ifon farmlands, have been brutally assaulted, beaten, and macheted by armed individuals from Ilobu,” the statement read.

“These aggressors continue to exploit our well-known commitment to peace and lawfulness, using it as an opportunity to provoke us while wielding dangerous weapons against our innocent people.”

The union lamented that despite reporting previous attacks to law enforcement agencies since 2024, no significant action has been taken to curb the violence.

They stated that the continued lack of accountability has emboldened the perpetrators, putting the lives of their people at risk.

“We cannot continue to suffer these repeated acts of aggression on our own land while the perpetrators act without consequences. We urge the Osun State Government to intervene decisively and stop the people of Ilobu from continuously attacking us with guns and machetes,” the statement continued.

The group also provided a list of individuals they allege are responsible for orchestrating the attacks, calling for their immediate arrest, thorough investigation, and prosecution.

The names include Sikiru Alagba, Olori Bola Olaniyan (wife of the Olobu of Ilobu), Asif Azeez, Ola David, also known as Ola, Isiaka Oyedokun (Baale Iludun, Ilobu), Basiru Olubuse (who they claim was illegally installed as Baale of Apiponroro by the Olobu), Liasu Ile Oganla (self-acclaimed Baale of Opapa), and Ganiyu of Amunimorun’s Compound in Ilobu.

The union stressed that unless these individuals are held accountable, lasting peace in the region may be impossible.

Reaffirming their commitment to peace, the Ifon-Osun Progressive Union insisted that justice must prevail for peace to be sustained in the region.

“We want peace, but peace cannot exist where there is no justice. The time for proactive measures is now. We call on all relevant authorities to hold those responsible accountable, ensure the safety of our people, and restore the harmony that we, as peace-loving indigenes of Ifon-Osun, have always upheld,” the statement concluded.