Osun communal crisis: Ilobu monarch laments losses, calls for lasting peace

The Olobu of Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, has expressed deep sorrow over the persistent communal clashes involving Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, and Erin-Osun, particularly in the last 18 months.

The monarch decried the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property, calling for a permanent ceasefire and peaceful coexistence among the warring communities.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Oba Olaniyan lamented that the crisis has inflicted severe setbacks, particularly on Ilobu, which he said has lost over 30 people, while properties worth a fortune have been destroyed.

He stressed that, having spent more than 50 years on the throne, he understands that true development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace. This, he noted, has been the reason for his consistent pursuit of harmony even in the face of provocation.

“I inherited the legacy of accommodation, hospitality, and peaceful coexistence from my forebears, and I have lived all my life not only to jealously guard this culture but also to nurture it,” the monarch stated.

He noted that while some of his subjects have accused him of restraining them from retaliating, the leaders of Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun have often mistaken his commitment to peace for weakness. However, he reaffirmed that as an elderly traditional ruler, sustaining peace remains his top priority.

“But today, I am deeply saddened by the events of the past 18 months that have taken us many decades backwards due to the greed, ambitions, and overzealousness of a few individuals who lack a sense of history and see leadership as a tool of oppression,” he continued.

“To the people of Ilobu, who have consistently been on the receiving end, I feel your pain, anguish, and agony. I have watched in horror how more than 30 of you have been brutally killed, how your houses have been set on fire, your goods razed, stores vandalised, and means of livelihood violently destroyed,” he lamented.

The monarch, however, urged his people to maintain peace, assuring them that their forefathers had always preached patience and resilience. He also prayed for divine grace to help them recover from their losses.

Oba Olaniyan expressed his gratitude to the Osun State Government, particularly Governor Ademola Adeleke, as well as the federal government and various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC, NIS, Amotekun Corps, and other stakeholders, for their efforts in quelling the hostilities.

He noted that Ilobu never expected a resurgence of such bloodshed, given the state government’s ongoing efforts to resolve the disputed land issue amicably. “That is why, to me, the latest attacks on our community defy common sense,” he remarked.

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Providing a historical context to the land dispute, the monarch highlighted past government and judicial interventions aimed at resolving the matter peacefully. He cited several court rulings dating back to the 1970s, as well as references from historical texts such as The History of the Yorubas by Rev. Samuel Johnson, to affirm Ilobu’s position as the first settler in the present-day Irepodun and Orolu Local Government Areas.

He criticised attempts to distort history through misinformation and social media propaganda, warning against efforts to rewrite the narrative and portray victims as aggressors.

Reaffirming the need for lasting peace, Oba Olaniyan urged the government and security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attacks to prevent a recurrence. He also called for the provision of relief materials, both in cash and food, to support the victims. Additionally, he appealed for an adjustment of the 24-hour curfew to allow affected residents to rebuild their lives and resume their daily activities.

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