Land Dispute Sparks Tensions as Gunmen Fatally Shoot 28-Year-Old Farmer in Osun State

Tensions escalate between the Ilobu and Ifon-Orolu communities in Osun State following a distressing incident where unknown assailants killed a 28-year-old farmer named Sodiq Alamu on a disputed piece of land.

The longstanding land dispute between Ilobu, located in the Irepodun local government area, and Ifon in the Orolu local government area, has been a cause for concern. Recent reports from The Nation highlighted that Ilobu had previously raised alarm about potential unrest planned by Ifon-Orolu in certain parts of the disputed land in the Opapa area.

The tragedy unfolded on Friday, September 15, 2023, when Sodiq Alamu, a resident of Ilobu's Aganna’s compound, was fatally shot by unknown gunmen while tending to his farm in the Opapa area.

Tairu Babatunde, the Public Relations Officer of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, identified the alleged perpetrators as Eesa of Ifon-Osun, Babatunde Oyetunji, and a Prince of Ifon-Osun, Jide Akinyooye, calling for their arrest.

In response, the Osun State Police Command urged the residents of Ilobu and Ifon to maintain calm, assuring that a thorough investigation into Alamu's killing was in progress. SP Opalola Yemisi Olawoyin, the Command's spokesperson, emphasized the need for peace and advised against taking the law into their own hands, affirming that justice would be served once the circumstances were unraveled and the culprits apprehended.