Ilobu farmers protest recent attacks on members, as IDU calls for Osun govt’s urgent intervention

Despite the intervention of the Osun State Government to put an end to the communal clash between Ilobu and Ifon-Osun communities, some indigenes are not relenting in attacking one another, OsunReporters gathered.

Recall that the OsunReporters News had earlier reported that the crisis before the state government intervention, had earlier costs the two communities about nine lives before curfew that was partially lifted was imposed and peace accord was signed between the two communities.

Recently, it was alleged that some Ilobu farmers farming in some villages under the Oyo State government but sharing boundaries with Ifon-Osun community were severely attacked and their food crops including Potatoes and yams were destroyed while some were stolen by the known people from Ifon-Osun.

Narrating his ordeal, one of the victims of the recent attacks, Alhaji Muibi Oladapo known as Baba Ero told the OsunReporters News Correspondent, that on November 29, 2023, he went to the farm along with some Journalists to balance their news reportage, unfortunately gunmen laid ambush on them, destroyed all his yams, potatoes and set his bus loaded with yams ablaze.

“We have to run for our dear lives when the thugs were shooting sporadically at us.”

Another victim, Mr. Bashiru Adegbenro also explained his sad story to newsmen on how the Ifon-Osun residents destroyed their hamlets, crops despite the fact that their farms are situated in Oyo State and not within jurisdiction of Osun State.

“The Oyo State villages where we farm includes, Iganna-Amao, Abebi, Ologele, Olosho, Odeyemi, Idiroko, Baara, Toolu etc. These are the villages and they are not under Ifon-Osun.

“Those who are terrorizing us that I can remember includes, Eesa, Lati Oko-Oye, Sunday Odeyemi. We want the government to come to our rescue, we are hungry and our children could no longer go to school.”

The third victim, Olawoyin Wakili added,
“On that fateful day, I went to the farm along Owode Road last Saturday, December 2, 2023 to harvest the remnants of potatoes left after they have stolen lots of it after the peace pact. Few minutes before Ifon, five Okada Riders were pursuing me, they asked me to stop, I asked them why. They said, “Have you not been warned not to come here again?” They now said, I should see Eesa. They pursued me to Orolu Grammar School where they laid ambush for me. They started beating me until I managed to run to Chief Aro’s house, Aro took me to the back to Orolu Grammar School at Agbekoya’s Office. Out of three bags of Potatoes I took from the farm, I was lucky to carry only one bag home, they forcefully took two bags from me. My body is full of scars from severe beatings.”

He showed our Correspondent the scars in his  body…..

….

Meanwhile, two groups held peaceful protests calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to come to their rescue as Ifon-Osun residents had been attacking them since the peace-pact was signed by the two communities.

In response to the ugly incident, the National Public Relations Officer of Ilobu-Asake Developmennt Union (IDP), Mr Tairu Babatunde who spoke on behalf of IDP in a Press Release made available to our correspondent in Ilobu on Wednesday, explained that since the Peace Accord was signed by the two communities, Ilobu farmers had been under attacks.

“It is, however, disheartening and shocking that despite this olive branch extended by the people of Ilobu to our neighbors, most particularly, the people of Ifon-Osun, what we receive is more attacks, dehumanization, destruction of properties and harassment of our people.

“This is very sad and it’s the only reason we have invited you here today. The world must know. Ilobu-Asake Development Union is an umbrella body for all sons and daughters of Ilobu and we owe it a duty to protect their interest.

“Gentlemen of the Press, I want to tell you that since the ceasefire was declared, our people who are plying their trades in villages such as Oloso, Idi-Iriko, Owode and several other villages in Oyo State have not been allowed to witness peace. It has been attacks over attacks. Harassment and torture.
We believe this must stop. Several farmlands invaded by people of Ifon-Osun whose name will be mentioned by victims that are here today. We have also submitted petition to relevant agencies and the government.

“Our Demands are; We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of everyone mentioned including Jide Akinyooye and the Eesa of Ifon, Babatunde Oyetunji.
We want to advise the State government that peace building is a process and not an action, we want them to continue engagement as no engagement has been held since October 6th when the peace deal was signed.
We also want the agents of the government, particularly, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Adekunle Omoyele to stop acting like an agent of Ifon people.
The recent arrest of tipper drivers in Ilobu which was coordinated by him without recourse to Ilobu Divisional Police who have been at the center of managing this crisis, necessitated this call,” Tairu explained.