Gunmen Shoot 28-Year-Old Farmer Dead Over Land Dispute

A communal crisis is developing between Ilobu and Ifon-Orolu in Osun State after unknown gunmen assassinated Sodiq Alamu, a 28-year-old farmer, on disputed property.

It was learned that the Ilobu in the Irepodun local government area and Ifon in the Orolu local government area of Osun state had been at odds over certain land.

According to a report in the Nation, the Ilobu community raised the warning approximately two weeks ago, stating that Ifon-Orolu intends to plant chaos in several areas of the disputed territory in the Opapa area.

Tairu Babatunde, Public Relations Officer of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, stated that Sodiq of Aganna’s compound, Ilobu, was assassinated by unknown gunmen on his farm near the Opapa region of the town on Friday, September 15, 2023.

“Eesa of Ifon-Osun, Babatunde Oyetunji, and a Prince of Ifon-Osun, Jide Akinyooye have finally carried out their threats by killing an indigene of Ilobu identified as Sodiq of Aganna’s. A team of police officers led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ilobu have removed the corpse. We urge security to arrest the duo,” he said.

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In the meantime, the Osun State Police Command has urged the people of Ilobu, Ifon, to remain quiet.

SP Opalola Yemisi Olawoyin, the command’s spokesperson, told the public on Saturday, September 16, that an inquiry into Alamu’s death was underway.

“The Osun State Police Command is using this medium to inform the good people of the State especially, the residents of Ilobu and Ifon in Irepodun and Orolu local government areas that the Police Command is aware of the report of the incident of the death of one Sodiq Alamu about 28 years of age along Opapa village in Ilobu and therefore passionately appeal to the residents of both communities (Ilobu & Ifon) and its environs to remain calm as an investigation has immediately commenced to unraveled the circumstances that led to the death of the young man,” the statement read.

“Also, the Command is aware of clandestine meetings being held by some individuals/groups of people to cause mayhem within the communities.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Kehinde Longer since the report of the incident has been having meetings with Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan and other relevant stakeholders to appeal to their subjects to remain peaceful and not to take law into their hands as the Police Command will not relent until the circumstances is unraveled and suspect (s) are brought to book.”