Warring Osun communities allege soldiers’ bias, seek IDP camps

As the violent clash between Ilobu and Ifon communities of Osun State continued into Sunday, spilling over into Erin Osun, the state government has been urged to open an Internally Displaced Persons camps for victims.

This was as the Erin Osun Progressive Union accused the soldiers deployed on peace mission of taking sides.

What initially started as boundary disputes between Ifon and Ilobu communities in the early hours of Friday, spread to Erin Osun on Saturday, forcing the state government to review earlier 12-hour curfew to 24-hour restriction of movement in the affected towns.

Although the exact casualty figure has not been determined by the Ilobu community, Ifon town through the media aide to Olufon, Adekunle Yusuf,  said three people had so far been killed in the violent clashes in the town.

Many houses were also razed in the three communities, forcing many of the residents to flee to Okinni, Osogbo and Ido Osun to avoid being killed.

In an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, the President of the Erin Osun Progressive Union,Mr. Kayode Olawale, alleged that soldiers had shot resisdents and one had been confirmed dead.

Olawale’s statement was in response to accusations from the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, which claimed that hoodlums from Erin Osun attacked and set fire to buildings in Ilobu.

In a statement signed by IDU President, Olufemi Salako, the group condemned the violence, stating: “Many people suffered gunshot wounds in the process. Children, women, and the elderly were severely affected, and thousands were displaced from their homes, with countless businesses completely destroyed.”

Salako further alleged that the Erin Osun community had planned a premeditated attack on Ilobu, stating that the violence, which had claimed several lives, displaced over 100,000 people, and caused damages worth over N2bn, began on the evening of Thursday, March 20.

However, Olawale denied these claims, asserting that soldiers deployed in the area had exacerbated the situation by siding with the Ilobu community.

He said that one of the residents who had been shot by the soldiers later died in the hospital, while two others remain in critical condition.

Olawale alleged that Erin Osun residents were forced back by the military, allowing Ilobu residents to burn properties on the disputed border areas.

“Soldiers came in, driving our people away from their homes, and that was when the Ilobu people began setting fire to our houses,” Olawale said. “We don’t believe they took advantage of the situation; it was a deliberate act. When the destruction was happening, the soldiers looked the other way.”

He also alleged that the soldiers had vandalised property belonging to local leaders.

Olawale claimed that after a meeting called by the governor, soldiers went to the house of the Oluode (the head of hunters) in Erin Osun and damaged a car and two motorcycles parked there.

“Many of our people have fled, and those still here are living in fear,” Olawale added.

He appealed for government intervention, particularly the provision of relief materials for those affected by the crisis.

Meanwhile, the Yoruba Youth Socio-Cultural Association has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to take a pragmatic, impartial approach to end the clashes between Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, and Erin-Osun communities.

The violence between the Ilobu and Ifon communities continued into Sunday, spilling over into Erin Osun, where houses were reportedly set on fire.

 In response to the escalating violence, Governor Adeleke imposed a 24-hour curfew on the affected areas, mobilised a joint security task force, and initiated a peace dialogue between the warring communities.

In a statement, the group’s coordinator in Osun State, Sesan Opadoyin, emphasised that any government intervention must prioritise security, justice, and reconciliation.

Opadoyin described the recent violence as heartbreaking and deeply troubling, urging the government and stakeholders to take immediate, decisive action to resolve the crisis.

“To the government, I appeal for an intervention that is not only unbiased but also prioritises security, justice, and reconciliation. Perpetrators of violence must be held accountable, and genuine peace-building efforts must be initiated without favoritism or sentiment,” he said. “Let us end the pain. Let us choose dialogue over war, unity over division, and peace over destruction. Enough is enough.”

The group also called on the youth of the warring communities to reject violence and stand for peace.

“We are the future, and we must not let the mistakes of the past define our destiny. This conflict undermines the progress and development of Osun State. Businesses suffer, children are deprived of education, and families are torn apart. We cannot afford to continue on this destructive path,” Opadoyin added.

In addition to the government and security forces, he highlighted the importance of traditional rulers and community leaders in resolving the crisis.

He stressed the need for dialogue, mutual understanding, and cooperation to put an end to the violence.

“The recent wave of violence between Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, and Erin-Osun is deeply troubling. As communities bound by history, culture, and even blood ties, we must ask ourselves: Is this the legacy we want to leave behind? No land, no boundary, and no dispute is worth the blood of our people. It is time to end this cycle of violence and embrace peace,” Opadoyin said.