Gunmen
A farmer, Sikiru Onaolapo, from Olobu’s Compound in Ilobu, Osun State, was reportedly killed by gunmen on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on his farmland in the Oke Ekutu area, a location at the center of long-standing communal disputes between the Ilobu and Ifon-Orolu communities.
The Oke Ekutu area, which lies along a contested boundary, has been a flashpoint for clashes over land ownership. This latest killing has further heightened tensions, fueling fears of potential violence between the two communities.
The Osun State Government had earlier declared a dawn-to-dusk curfew in October 2023 to manage the ongoing disputes, but the killing of Onaolapo has reignited anger and unrest. Following the incident, his body was transported to the entrance of the Olobu palace, where a large crowd gathered in mourning and protest.
Grieving residents, in a video obtained by our correspondence , expressed frustration and fear, calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke and security agencies to intervene. They demanded justice and urged authorities to take swift action to prevent further violence.
The Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Leke Ogunsola, confirmed the identity of the deceased, stating, “Sikiru Onaolapo, from Olobu’s Compound, was shot dead on his farm at Oke Ekutu this morning.” Ogunsola urged security agencies to arrest the perpetrator and conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing.
“Our demand is simple,” Ogunsola added. “The suspect must be apprehended, and the authorities must ensure a comprehensive investigation to prevent a recurrence.”
Reacting to allegations that an Ifon-Orolu indigene was responsible for the killing, Jide Akinyooye, Secretary of the Ifon-Orolu Progressives Union’s Board of Trustees, denied the claims.
He stated, “There is no one bearing such a name in Ifon. We are aware that people have been encroaching on areas designated as a buffer zone by the Osun State Government. Our king has issued a strict directive prohibiting anyone from accessing the area. No Ifon indigene was involved in this incident.”
Akinyooye also called for a comprehensive investigation to determine the facts and ensure justice is served.
As tensions rise, both communities are urging the government and security agencies to step in decisively to de-escalate the situation and prevent further violence. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for a lasting resolution to the land disputes between Ilobu and Ifon-Orolu.
