Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has vowed to punish those behind the resurgence of violence around Ifon/Ilobu areas of the state.
At least, two persons have been confirmed killed in the bloody clash which reportedly occurred on Monday in Erin-Osun, the boundary of Osun and Oyo States over land.
Confirming the violent incident on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment in Osun, Kolapo Alimi, disclosed that there were two casualties and that their bodies had been deposited in the morgue of Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
Alimi appealed to the affected communities to give peace a chance, saying the crisis was an offshoot of the bloody war that happened in Ifon and Ilobu last year October.
The Commissioner said since government has taken over the land in dispute, some indigenes had moved to the boundary between Oyo and Osun to cause another mayhem over land.
Meanwhile, the state governor, while talking tough in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, threatened to order the arrest of those sponsoring the crisis.
The governor noted that intelligence revealed that some prominent leaders of the two communities were culpable in the bloodletting.
According to Rasheed, “In a virtual security meeting which continues as at the time of issuing this report, Governor Adeleke said those who ignited the attacks again will be rounded up and arraigned for breaching peace in the area.
“I hosted a virtual security meeting last night. A physical meeting is now ongoing. We will not spare sponsors of this dastardly act.
“Any traditional ruler found to be fanning embers of violence will be removed from office. Requisite intelligence is being gathered on the extent of culpability of prominent leaders from the two areas.
“Since yesterday, I have issued relevant directives which are being implemented to calm the situation. All through the night, security teams have commenced de-escalation operations.
“We have dispatched security teams and further measures will soon be announced,” the statement quoted Adeleke as saying.
He added, “This time around, those involved will pay the price in line with the law of the land.”
