The Regent of Ifon Orolu Community in Osun State, Chief Babatunde Oyetunji, on behalf of the people of the community, has petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kehinde Longe, over an area under dispute, accusing a neighbouring Ilobu community of aggression.
Oyetunji recanted how people of Ilobu allegedly embarked on the construction of a new road from the Olakanla area in Ilobu to Opapa Village in the Gbere-Odofin area, Ifon-Osun.
According to him, when the development was reported to the then CP, Wale Olokode, he intervened and invited all parties in the disagreement to a meeting where resolution was reached.
“Unfortunately, we confirmed on Friday, 27th January, 2023, that Ilobu community were preparing to construct culverts/mini-bridges at Opapa Village with the motive of accessing the Odofin land for commercial allocation of land layout.
“The dishonouring of understanding on initial peace pact is an obvious invitation to communal clashes. In conclusion, we are calling for your immediate intervention in order to avoid clashes that may be out of control because of possible counter reactions,” the letter obtained in Osogbo on Monday partly read.
But while reacting to the allegations, the leadership of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, the umbrella body for all indigenes of Ilobu town, said no member of the community was developing or making efforts to commence development of Gbere Area, since the area had been a subject of dispute.
The group in a statement signed by its president, Mr. Olufemi Salako, further said, “To put the record straight, the residents of the Opapa approached the Olobu for an assistance to get some drainage culverts fixed ahead of the raining season. This was after they have made frantic efforts on their own to fix the structure that may later make the road totally impassable. This is in preparation for the raining season as the road is critical to the transportation of farm items to urban center.
“The monarch, being a father to all, moved swiftly and mobilised his personal resources to aid in fixing the road and get the culvert done. This rehabilitation is ongoing in Opapa not Gbere as alleged. We also wish to express that Opapa village is different from Gbere and it’s about 5km from each other. Opapa exclusively belongs to Ilobu and has never been a subject of dispute. Uncontroverted documentary evidence is available to support this.”