Even as the Osun State Government on Thursday declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew, a student of Westland Polytechnic, Ilobu, was allegedly shot dead amid the ongoing communal crisis between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State.
The violence, which has intensified in recent days, continues to disrupt peace in the affected areas.
According to the National Chairman of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Olufemi Salako, the incident allegedly occurred around 11am when armed individuals, allegedly from Ifon-Osun, invaded Ganga and Oke-Ima areas. from Ilobu.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the attackers fired indiscriminately, causing panic and further worsening tensions.
Salako confirmed that the fatal shooting allegedly took place hours before the state government imposed a curfew in response to the deteriorating situation.
Efforts are underway to resolve the conflict, with community leaders and government officials urging calm. However, tensions remain high and the security presence has been stepped up to prevent further loss of life.
In a statement sent to newsmen, Salako said: “The people of Ilobu use this medium to inform the Osun State Government, security agencies and the world at large that the thugs and invaders of Ifon-Osun have committed today , Thursday, January 16. , killed a student of the Department of Computer Science, Westland Polytechnic, Ilobu.
“The attackers this afternoon shot an innocent and harmless student of the Polytechnic located in Oke-Ima area of Ilobu. The heavily armed thugs barged into Ganga and Oke-Ima on Thursday morning around 11am and started shooting at every living and non-living object in sight. The student, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, is one of his victims.
“To emphasize, Oke-Ima is less than two kilometers from the palace of the Olobu of Ilobu, and the community is home to eminent personalities, including the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Lasún Yusuff. “This shows that the invaders knowingly entered the interior streets of Ilobu.”
Salako called on the Osun State Government to immediately summon the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Ipadeola, to answer for the killings and destruction of properties, saying that the patience of the Ilobu community is being stretched to the limit.
When contacted for reaction, Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union Secretary Jide Akinyooye dismissed the allegations.
“They are not being sincere. We didn't go to his town. Thugs sent from Ilobu today confiscated and destroyed three motorcycles belonging to the Ifon people. Our Ifon people did not go to Ilobu to attack anyone.
“Security agencies should investigate the allegations with a view to arresting the perpetrators. To emphasize, I can tell you that we did not attack or shoot anyone. Ilobu hoodlums should be asked questions about any incident that occurred,” Akinyooye said.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the Osun State Police Command proved fruitless as calls to the Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, remained unanswered. A response to a text message sent to him was still pending at the time of writing.
Local authorities confirmed the death and described it as another tragic result of the ongoing hostilities. The crisis has claimed multiple lives and displaced residents, and security agencies are struggling to restore order.