There are fears of fresh hostility between the residents of Ifon community in Orolu Local Council and Ilobu town in Irepodun Local Council of Osun State over the alleged encroachment on the buffer zone declared by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Both Ifon and Ilobu had been embroiled in communal clashes over a large expanse of land, which led to the killing of about 20 people, destruction of farmlands and properties in October 2023 and early 2024.
In the wake of the hostilities, Adeleke’s administration had declared the disputed land as a buffer zone, with a view to restoring peace, thus barring the feuding communities from erecting any structure or engaging in farming activities in the affected areas.
However, findings indicated that a fresh round of communal clash may break out between the communities unless the state government takes proactive measures to nip it in the bud.
In a letter forwarded to the state governor by Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union, which was also copied the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Zone 11, Osogbo, the Osun State Director, Department of State Security (DSS), among others, the union alleged that Ilobu community had commenced construction works on the buffer zone declared by Adeleke’s administration.
The letter dated January 7, 2025, which was obtained by The Guardian in Osogbo, on Friday, and signed by the national president and secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union, Alhaji Mohammed Oyedeji, and Prince Jide Akinloye respectively, stated: “We are writing to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent actions of the Ilobu community in the Opapa and Igbo Imi-Esin area, which was recently declared a buffer zone by your administration.
“Despite this declaration, the community has continued to carry out construction works in the area, demonstrating a blatant disregard for constituted authority. This lack of respect for the rule of law and the decisions of the state government has serious implications for the maintenance of law and order.”
Reacting, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Leke Ogunsola, said Ilobu community was not aware of any buffer zone. Speaking during a telephone chat, he said: “The land they are talking about, there is no place called Igbo Imin Esin on their land; Opapa is within Ilobu. So, if they have valid court papers on the land, they should bring it out; we have a judgement that covers the land.
“If they have anything they should go to court. We have won up to the Court of Appeal; we have the judgment and they are aware of it. So, the land they are talking about is within the Ilobu community.”
