Osun communities trade blames as assailants shot farmer dead

A farmer from Olobu’s Compound in Ilobu, Osun State, Sikiru Onaolapo, was on Tuesday reportedly shot dead on his farm located in the Oke Ekutu area.

Oke Ekutu area is one of the settlements located within areas causing disputes between Ilobu and Ifon-Orolu communities.

After the alleged killing, the corpse of the deceased was taken to the entrance of Olobu’s palace with a large crowd accompanying the vehicle carrying the deceased.

In a video footage obtained, amid wailings, Ilobu residents demanded immediate action from the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the security agents to de-escalate tension and prevent reprisal.

While speaking, Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Leke Ogunsola, 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 suspect and carry out a thorough investigation into the killing to prevent a recurrence.

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He further said, “The demand from the Ilobu community is that the security agents should get the suspect arrested and do thorough investigation to unravel the issues surrounding the killing.”

But when contacted for reaction to the allegations that an indigene of Ifon-Orolu killed the Ilobu farmer, the Secretary, Board of Trustees, Ifon-Orolu Progressives Union, Jide Akinyooye, dismissed the claim.

Akinyooye 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 buffer zone by the government. So, no Ifon indigene was involved in such an act.”