The people of Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government area of Osun State have debunked the accusation of attacking some indigenes of Ifon in the late night of Wednesday.
This was disclosed in a press statement made available to newsmen and signed by the Public Relations Officer of Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Kazeem Alabi on Friday.
Alabi said that no son or daughter of Ilobu indigene was involved in the criminal act that was recorded.
It was gathered that crisis is gradually brewing between the two communities over land settlement located within the area, as the duo are laying claims to the land.
The Union charged Ifon indigenes to look critically to their utterances that were been called for war before the incident occurred.
While sympathising with the family of those that lost their lives to the incident, the union also called on populace to emulate the peaceful conduct for the progress of the communities.
It reads –
“The attention of the people of Ilobu people has been drawn to a statement credited to Jide Akinyooye wherein he alleged us of unleashing violence on their people earlier today. We would have ignored the junk by him but for record sake, we’re compelled to state the followings;
“That in our previous statements, conversations and dialogues, we have stated it emphatically that we’re for peace and nothing would make us do anything contrary, even in the face of provocations.
“No Ilobu indigene goes to both the disputed area and the area where the unfortunate incident happened late yesterday/earlier today. This is because we’re waiting for the Governor of the state, Mr Gboyega Oyetola to intervene and we believe in his leadership.
“Ilobu people use this medium to call on the police and other security agents to unmask the perpetrators of the said unfortunate incident and bring them to book.
“We want to say that no Ilobu son or daughter was involved in the criminal act that was recorded today. Ifon people should check themselves as many of their utterances before yesterday are calls for violence. We hold strongly that the incident was a result of their bellicosity.
”The claims by Akinyooye is another symptom of buccal diarrhea that he’s suffering from and we as people, are not ready to engage him in any way.
“While we sympathise with those that lost their loves ones, we call on our brothers and sisters to emulate the peaceful conduct and disposition that Ilobu people have shown and sheath their swords as war will never solve any crisis.” Statement added
Governor Gboyega Oyetola, however, on Thursday held a peace meeting with the traditional rulers and leaders of Ifon and Ilobu communities in the Government House in Osogbo.
Oyetola said that government would not tolerate any act capable of threatening peace and security of lives and property of the people of the State.
The meeting had in attendance monarchs of the two communities, Olufon of Ifon, Oba Al-Maroof Adekunle Magbagbeola, and the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan.
To also prevent possible violence that might result from the dispute, Governor Oyetola used that meeting to also broker peace and restore unity between the two contending towns.
HE Urged the two parties to maintain the peace, adding that the law would take its due course on anybody or party found to be engaging in any act capable of breaking law and order in any part of the State.
The meeting resolved that the two communities should stay off the disputed land until the matter is amicably resolved.
It was further resolved that all the farmers from Ilobu that are farming on Ifon land and vice versa should be allowed to go back to such farming lands without let or hindrance and without molestation.
The Governor implored the traditional rulers to talk to their subjects and ensure that peace continues to reign in the land
