The Erin-Osun Progressive Union (EPU) has lamented the extensive damage resulting from the continuing intercommunity conflict among Ilobu, Ifon-Osun, and Erin-Osun, indicating that assets valued at billions of naira have been destroyed.
On Monday, Chief Kayode Olawale, who serves as the National President of EPU, released a statement from Osogbo expressing deep concern over the destruction caused in contested frontier regions. According to him, numerous houses were set ablaze, and vehicles along with motorbikes faced vandalism, resulting in tens of thousands of inhabitants being forced out of their homes.
“Numerous individuals from our community have become displaced and are fighting for survival. Consequently, we urge the government via NEMA and the State Emergency Management Agencies to promptly provide assistance to our area,” pleaded Olawale.
The EPU additionally called upon the Osun State Government to implement more robust measures to avoid further violence.
“We acknowledge the government’s first steps, but we urgently call for stronger actions to tackle this crisis. The expansionist objectives of those attacking us have left them oblivious to the catastrophic outcomes of their deeds, leading to casualties and property damage in Erin-Osun,” the statement said.
Accusations Targeting Ilobu and Security Forces The labor union alleged that inhabitants of Ilobu and armed insurgents deliberately attacked Erin-Osun on Friday evening, resulting in burnt-down homes and numerous people being displaced.
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Even though our town remained neutral during the resumption of the Ilobu-Ifon conflict, attackers from Ilobu invaded our community, razing houses and damaging property,” Olawale stated. “Security personnel arrived subsequently; however, their response was delayed, permitting further devastation.
He further alleged that soldiers deployed to restore order acted with bias, intimidating Erin-Osun residents while giving Ilobu attackers free rein.
“One of our team members was fired upon up close by a soldier who was meant to safeguard us,” he alleged.
Denials and Counter-Accusations Emerge as Ilobu Rejects Claims, Blames Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun In response, the Ilobu Asake Development Union’s National President, Pastor Olufemi Salako, refuted these claims in a separate statement. He alleged that Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun jointly attacked Ilobu, supported by an influential government figure.
“This marks the eighth occasion where our innocent populace has endured such brutal assaults, even though Ilobu has contributed significantly to maintaining national tranquility. Despite producing the late Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja—who met with an unexplained end—rather than safeguarding their fellow townspeople, Ilobu remains vulnerable to these fires,” Salako emphasized.
As tensions escalate and the death toll rises, all parties involved are urgently demanding governmental action to halt additional devastation and establish enduring stability.
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