A farmer, Sikiru Onaolapo, from Olobu’s compound in Ilobu, Osun State, was reportedly killed by gunmen on Tuesday.
The incident, DAILY POST gathered, occurred on his farmland in the Oke Ekutu area, a location embroiled in communal disputes between the Ilobu and Ifon-Orolu communities.
The Oke Ekutu area has long been a hotspot for disputes between the two communities which share a common boundary.
Tensions have been heightened by disagreements over land ownership, with the recent killing further straining relationships.
The incident has sparked fears of possible violence between the communities with the state government in October 2023 declaring a dawn to dusk curfew.
Following the farmer’s death, his body was transported to the entrance of the Olobu palace, where a large crowd gathered.
The somber procession reflected the community’s grief and outrage, as residents demanded justice and action from relevant authorities.
In a video footage viewed by DAILY POST, grieving Ilobu residents were seen expressing their frustration and fear.
They called on Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke and security agencies to intervene promptly to address the tension and prevent potential reprisals.
The Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Leke Ogunsola, reacting to the killing said, “Sikiru Onaolapo is the victim. He hailed from Olobu’s Compound of Ilobu. He went to his farm at Oke Ekutu this morning and he was shot dead.”
On the demands of the community to de-escalate tension, Ogunsola called on the security agencies in the state to arrest the perpetrator and carry out a thorough investigation into the killing to prevent a recurrence.
He added that, “The demand from the Ilobu community is that the security agents should get the suspect arrested and conduct a thorough investigation to unravel the issues surrounding the killing.”
When contacted for his own reaction to the allegations that Sikiru Onaolapo was killed by an indigene of Ifon-Orolu, the Secretary, Board of Trustees, Ifon-Orolu Progressives Union, Jide Akinyooye, dismissed the claim.
Akinyooye, however, demanded a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances behind the killing.
He said, “Investigation should be carried out into the incident but I can tell you we don’t have anyone bearing such a name in Ifon.
“What we know is that some people have been coming to the areas already acquired by the Osun State Government as a buffer zone to buy land and that report was made to Olufon of Ifon earlier.
“Our king subsequently gave a strict directive that none of his subjects should go near the area already declared a buffer zone by the government. So, no Ifon indigene was involved in such an act.”
Tensions rise as gunmen kill farmer in disputed Osun community
