Victims of Ilobu, whose properties were destroyed in the communal clash between the town and Ifon-Osun, on Saturday called for relief from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Governor Adeleke for individuals and businesses affected by the crisis.
Pastor Olufemi Salako, the National President of the Ilobu Progressive Union (IPU), made the call on behalf of the victims in a statement issued in Osogbo. He further urged President Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director of the Department of State Security, Adeola Ajayi, “to come to their aid as the incessant attacks from neighboring communities have become relentless.”
He said, “On Friday morning, we woke up to sporadic gunshots from the people of Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun communities. Large parts of Ilobu, including Ganga, Idire, Apiponroro, Olobu Market, and Ayedaade, were seriously invaded. Houses and shops were burned down, and the people of Ilobu were attacked with guns.”
“Many people suffered gunshot wounds in the process. Children, women, and the elderly were severely affected, thousands were displaced from their homes, and countless businesses were completely destroyed.”
ALSO READ: Ifon-Ilobu crisis: Oyetola sues for peace, charges traditional rulers, others to intervene
“Unfortunately, the Erin-Osun community has also joined the attack from behind, confirming that this is a pre-planned and premeditated assault on Ilobu. This time, it is not about Ifon and Ilobu fighting over disputed land; it is about the determination of Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun communities to completely exterminate Ilobu.
“The ongoing carnage and killings, which have not stopped, have claimed several lives, displaced over 100,000 people, and destroyed properties worth over N2 billion since it began on Thursday evening.
“The attackers became emboldened as our calls to the Osun State Government, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, and the Osun Security Network went unanswered. The attacks and intrusions continued for over 15 hours unchallenged.
“It may interest the whole world to know that this is the eighth time our community has come under violent attacks in the last 18 months, with no end in sight. We have lost no fewer than 30 lives during this period, and over 100 houses have been burned to ashes.
“We call on the Federal Government to come to our aid in protecting our community. We are defenseless, and we do not know what will happen next.
“We also appeal to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for relief for the affected individuals and businesses. Videos of how our community has been overrun by the combined efforts of the Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun communities are available online.
“We once again call on the Osun State Government to take action and prevent further carnage. Intelligence from Ifon-Osun indicates that they are prepared to sustain the attack for days,” the union concluded.
and then