By Adenitan Akinola
Residents of Ilobu in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State have decried alleged invasion and destruction of their farmland by hoodlums suspected to be working for Ifon-Orolu Community.
The Ilobu-Asake indigenes, however, called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks and destruction of their farms weeks after the peace accords by the two warring communities.
The worried residents of the town thronged the major streets in the town to protest what they described as perpetual attack on the people of the town by some indigenes of Ifon Community.
Addressing journalists shortly after the protest, the Public Relations Officer, Ilobu Asake Development Union, Mr. Tairu Babatunde called for the quick intervention of Governor Ademola Adeleke before the issue gets out of the hand.
Mr Babatunde alleged that some of their people whose farmland were located around Oloso, Idi-Iriko, Owode and several other villages in Ifon and Oyo State were destroyed.
He also alleged that their people were beaten, dehumanized and harassed by Ifon people and that their farm products were taken by them.
Also, one of the affected villagers, Bashiru Adegbenro said, “the people of Ifon on 4th October came to attack us and we are not on their farm we farming on Oyo Land. When they came they asked us to vacate the land, that they have taken over our farm”.
“Despite the peace accord that we both signed they invaded our farms and cut down our farm produces. After taking away our farm products such as yam, cassava, kola nuts among others, they went ahead to burnt down our farm.”
“Our farms are on the land of Oyo not Ifon those that attacked us are Eesa of Ifon, Jide Akinyooye, Sunday Odeyemi among others. They have burnt everything in that land and even removed the roof and sold it”, He explained.
“The state government should come to our rescue, to eat now is very difficult for us and our children are no longer going to school because there is nothing to eat, please help us. Ifon has taken over our source of income.”
“Those men armed with guns asked us to leave or they will shoot us immediately I had to beg them to allow me take my remaining yam but before I could say anything further they starting shooting in the air while I was about leaving they beat me.” Mr Adegbenro added
Reacting to the allegations, Secretary, Ifon Orolu Descendants Board of Trustees, Prince Jide Akinyooye debunked the allegations.
Prince Akinyooye said:“Nobody prevented them from going to their farms. They are the one that went to the court in Oyo State for malicious damage. “They are afraid of going back to the farm after the battle”, he said.
Radio Nigeria recalls that the two neighbouring towns, located in Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas, have been at loggerheads over land dispute for years, but the crisis rekindled in September/October, this year, where several people were killed and properties destroyed.
The two warring communities on October 2023 were made to sign a peace agreement brokered by the state government after weeks of violence and tension in the town.
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