Former councillor and two others killed, 30 residents injured in new communal conflict in Osun
Former councillor and two others killed, 30 residents injured in new communal conflict in Osun.
In a tragic escalation of violence between the Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State, three individuals, including a former councillor named Azeez, have lost their lives, and around 30 others have sustained gunshot wounds amid ongoing clashes stemming from a long-standing land dispute.
The two communities, with Ifon serving as the headquarters of Orolu Local Government and Ilobu as that of Irepodun Local Government, have a history of conflict over this land issue, which has previously resulted in fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage due to arson.
In an attempt to manage the violence, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has enforced intermittent curfews over the last 18 months in response to a series of eight clashes. Additionally, he established a 100-member peace committee, led by Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, the Ataoja of Osogbo, and Comrade Waheed Lawal, tasked with fostering long-term peace. On March 2, 2025, the governor adjusted the curfew hours from dusk to dawn, allowing some flexibility from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
However, tensions reignited on Monday when leaders from both communities confronted each other over the disputed land, leading to violence that saw numerous homes set ablaze and displaced women and children by early Friday.
In response to the renewed conflict, the Osun State Government has reinstated a curfew, with Governor Adeleke convening local kings and other stakeholders for discussions. A statement from the Commissioner of Information, Kolapo Alimi, indicated that the governor is unhappy about the resurgence of violence between Ilobu and Ifon. He has declared a new curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily until a sustainable peace is achieved.
