Gov seizes disputed Osun land, deploys soldiers
By Hammed Tajudeen
Osun State Government yesterday seized a parcel of land which the warring Ifon and Ilobu communities in the state are laying claim to. Several lives have been lost and properties torched in the crisis over time.
An obviously irritated Governor Ademola Adeleke, who disclosed these, added that he has contacted Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to deploy armed soldiers to both belligerent communities to maintain peace and order and punish potential trouble-makers.
Adeleke made these known at the maiden edition of the Ipade Imole, a public accountability platform held in Osogbo, the state capital.
The Daily Times gathered that despite the 6am to 8pm curfew slammed on the communities, burning of houses and attack resumed yesterday.
The two communities are laying claim to the parcel of land where the Nigerian Army is working to site a project.
Expressing his displeasure, Gov. Adeleke said: “I am not happy today. These clashes would chase away investors.
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“As a government, we have seized the parcel of land in contention. The Osun State Government has seized that land and I have given the security operatives the order to deal with anybody who contravenes my directive.
“I have also obtained the assurance of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in this regard.
“He has promised to deploy soldiers to the affected communities to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Police.
“Anybody who wants to cause mayhem, I am warning them right now to be careful. If it is sabotage, it will not work at all.
“These clashes are not helping anyone but rather they will chase investors away to other states.
“It is sad that lives are being lost daily over what belongs to God and not man.”
The governor called on chiefs, community leaders, monarchs in both localities to call their subjects to order.
“It is not when government intervenes with force that people will now be complaining.
“A military deployment will be punitive to both communities who have failed to allow for peaceful resolution of the problem on ground,” he noted.
