A student of Westland Polytechnic, Ilobu, Osun State, has reportedly been killed by some rampaging hoodlums.
The deceased, of the Department of Computer Science, was said to have been shot dead by some armed hoodlums who invaded Oke-Ima area of Ilobu on Thursday.
Ilobu has been at agelong war with its neighbouring Ifon community over land boundary.
They communities recently renewed their clash thereby injuring two persons.
To forestall further breakdown of law and order, the state government imposed curfew on the warring communities and deployed security operatives.
Despite seecurity presence, the Polytechnic student, whose name is yet to be known, was allegedly killed by some yet to be arrested invaders.
Meanwhile, the two communities have exchanged blames over culpability in the killing of young man.
While the people of Ilobu accused Ifon of sending warriors to maim and destroy indigenes of Ilobu, Ifon denied, alleging that Ilobu has been terrorising the entire community.
A statement signed by the National President, Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Olufemi Salako and its Public Relations Officer, Tairu Babatunde, reported to the state government and security agencies that invaders from Ifon-Osun killed the student.
It read, “After days of restraint and peaceful disposition of Ilobu to unwarranted attacks launched on us by messengers and armed agents of Olufon, Oba Peter Ipadeola Akinyooye, the attackers this (Thursday) afternoon shot an innocent and harmless student of the Polytechnic located at Oke-Ima area of Ilobu.
“The armed-to-teeth hoodlums stormed Ganga and Oke-Ima of Thursday morning around 11am and started shooting at every living and non-living objects sighted by them and the student, whose identity is yet to be confirmed is one of their victims.
“For emphasis, Oke-Ima is less than two kilometers from the Palace of Olobu of Ilobu and the community houses eminent personalities including the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuff. This is to show that the invaders knowingly entered into the inner streets of Ilobu.
“We again reiterate our call on Osun State Government to immediately summon Olufon to answer for these round of unprovoked attacks, maiming, killings and destruction of numerous properties that we have been experiencing in the last four days. Our patience and endurance is being stretched to breaking point at these unchallenged blood-letting.”
Refuting the allegations, Jide Adelaja Akinyooye, the Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union Board of Trustees in a statement, asked the state government to fastrack the resolution of the land disputes.
The statement read, “The attention of the leadership of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union has been drawn to misleading information circulated on social media that it was the people of Ifon-Orolu that responsible for the killing of a student of Westland Polytechnic, Ilobu; this is to clarify that Ifon-Orolu Kingdom strongly denies the allegations made by the Ilobu neighbouring community.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and condemn the attack in the strongest possible terms. However, we urge the public to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated rumors and allegations that can fuel further tension and conflict.
“We rather want the Osun State Government and the security agencies to note that the people of Ilobu have been consistently terrorizing the people of Ifon-Orolu both day and night since Monday, 14th January, 2025 up till today; We are particularly disturbed and afraid that the people of Ilobu could deny official decision that “Opapa area was not a buffer zone” without been questioned!
“The utterances of Chief Leke Ogunsola, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu against the warranted decision of the Osun State Government on the particular buffer zone is a clear indication that Ilobu people are the one orchestrating the crisis.
“Notwithstanding that Igbo Imi-Esin and Opapa area that constitute the buffer zone are located in Olufon Ward 08 of Orolu Local Government area of Osun State; we shall continue to respect the decision of the government and would expect same compliance by the people of Ilobu.
“We assure the public that the people of Ifon-Orolu Kingdom has always maintained peaceful coexistence with all neighbouring communities, including Ilobu, and we are committed to continuing this tradition. We call on the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into daily incidents of aggressions in both communities (particularly in the buffer zone) and bring them to justice.
“We anticipate that Osun State Government will fast track the required process of ensuring the final resolution of the recurring land disputes in the area as assured.
“In the meantime, we urge calm and restraint among our people and those of Ilobu community, and we are open to engaging in constructive dialogue towards final resolution and promote peace and harmony in our region.”
