The Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, has appealed to Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to reconsider the ongoing 24-hour curfew imposed on Ilobu and surrounding communities following renewed clashes over a long-standing land dispute.
Oba Olaniyan said the round-the-clock lockdown is preventing affected residents from assessing the extent of destruction in their homes and communities. He stressed the urgent need for the people to begin the process of rebuilding their lives and properties after enduring such a traumatic episode.
Governor Adeleke had declared the curfew across Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin Osun after violent communal clashes erupted, leaving over 30 people reportedly shot and properties worth an estimated N2 billion destroyed.
In a heartfelt statement issued yesterday, the traditional ruler expressed deep sorrow over the repeated violence that has ravaged the area over the last 18 months. He attributed the unrest to "a handful of selfish individuals driven by greed, political ambition, and a distorted sense of power," accusing them of exploiting leadership as a tool of oppression.
"I share in the pain, anguish, and heartbreak of my people,” he said. “We have witnessed horrific bloodshed—more than 30 of our sons and daughters have been killed within just 18 months. Homes have been burnt to ashes, shops looted, livelihoods ruined. Yet, I still plead with you all to remain calm and law-abiding, as instructed by our ancestors."
Oba Olaniyan also referenced legal victories and historical evidence supporting Ilobu’s rightful ownership of the disputed land, insisting that justice must prevail.
He concluded with a five-point demand directed at the state government, which included the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for inciting and perpetrating the violence, a review of the curfew, compensation for victims, and a call for genuine peace-building efforts from both state actors and community leaders.
The monarch reaffirmed his commitment to peace, but maintained that lasting harmony can only be achieved through justice, fairness, and responsible leadership.
