People flee homes as soldiers intervene in Ilobu-Ifon crisis in Osun
Residents of Ilobu and neighboring Ifon have fled their homes just as soldiers have been deployed to restore peace between the two towns that share both borders and history.
The Punch Newspaper said that residents in large numbers are fleeing their homes with their luggage. The crisis reached a head yesterday when youths from the two communities attacked one another.
Lots of houses, buildings and properties were set on fire and that made the Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to declare a curfew in the affected areas.
Soldiers have mounted checkpoints at the entrances of the two towns and the Department of State Service (DSS) is helping to evacuate corps members from the flashpoints.
A resident who spoke with the newspaper said he’s moving out his family from the town. He said, “I am moving my family out of the area affected by the communal clashes. My family is moving out, but I will stay back to observe the situation of things.
“Fight got so intense overnight. We could not sleep. We were hearing heavy gunshots. To prevent us from being caught in the fight, I have decided to move my family out.”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has debunked the rumour that it’s taking side in the violence. The command talked through its spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola.
The command said it had lost a new patrol van to the crisis.
The imagemaker further told newsmen, “They alleged we are taking sides. It is unfortunate that the Monitoring Section van that was donated to us was burnt. Our four men are in hospital now, they were shot.
“The Divisional police officer of Ilobu was among those who were shot. He was shot in the hand. But thanks to God, they are all responding to treatment. They ambushed policemen when our men attempted to broker peace.”
