OSBC Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
he Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has waded in as two persons sustained gunshot wounds following the breakout of communal clash between Erin-Osun and Ilobu communities.
Both communities, which are located in Irepodun Local Government Area of the State, have been engaged in a long drawn land dispute.
NEWSMEN reports that the crisis broke out on Saturday afternoon and as the news filtered into both neighbouring communities, youths were said to have mobilised themselves to the disputed area where two houses were said to have been vandalised.
It was also gathered that the crisis that broke out in the afternoon around Oke-Awesin area before it escalated to CAC area as some Ilobu residents attempted to resist ceding parts of their land to Erin-Osun.
As the news filtered into both neighbouring communities, youths were said to have mobilised themselves to the disputed area where two houses were said to have been vandalised.
Two persons were confirmed to have sustained gun injuries were taken to Ilobu palace where they are said to be attended to by local hunters.
Confirming the incident, the state police command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said two persons from Ilobu, Azeez Adamu and Abdullah Tairu were shot in the legs during the crisis.
According to her, some Erin-Osun youths were dissatisfied over alleged ceding of parts of Ayedande said to be within their community to Ilobu during enumeration area demacation exercise.
She revealed that on getting to the disputed area, some group of people were discovered exchanging gunfire.
“Policemen were deployed from both Ifon division and Dugbe division in the state capital to the area to return normalcy.
“Two persons that sustained gunshot injuries have been taken to the hospital for treatment, while police have intensify patrol of the area to douse rising tension”, she said.
Meanwhile, a resident at Ilobu, Bola Adeyanju said as at 9pm, over 500 youths are gathered at Olobu palace while similar situation is also replicated at the Elerin palace in Erin-Osun waiting for who blinks first.
However, the Governor Oyetola while reacting to the incident in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary on Sunday, ordered immediate deployment of armed policemen with support from the army to restore law and order in the troubled area immediately.
He pleaded with the warring groups in Irepodun Local Government Area of the State to sheath their sword and give peace a chance.
Oyetola gave the order during a marathon meeting with heads of security agencies in the State on Sunday morning, where the situation in Ilobu and Erin-Osun was critically examined.
The statement said the Governor counselled residents and citizens not to take laws into their own hands, insisting that two wrongs do not make a right.
He was also quoted to have said that the peace and unity of the local government area was important and should not be compromised.
“As government, we are resolved to do everything possible to protect citizens from actual and potential threats. To this end, we have ordered immediate deployment of security operatives to restore law and order.
“I want to appeal to our people not to destroy our collective heritage by taking laws into their own hands. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I therefore appeal to the warring parties to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign,” the governor added.
