Four policemen including a Divisional Police Officer have been shot during the communal clash between Ilobu, headquarters of Irepodun council and Ifon, headquarters of Orolu local government areas of Osun State.
The patrol van of the policemen including houses located at the warring communities were also razed down by arsonists.
Recall that Osun state government raised an alarm that a clash may occur on Wednesday night after youths were sighted brandishing weapons.
Subsequently, the two communities clashed and houses were razed at the warring communities. It was gathered that some residents were reportedly killed.
During the clash, it was gathered that policemen were ambushed by some hoodlums who alleged that they are siding a community against the other.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relation Officer, Osun State Command, Yemisi Opalola disclosed that four policemen were shot and patrol van was burnt.
She said: “They burnt a new patrol van of police yesterday. The alleged us of taking side, it is unfortunate that the monitoring section van that was donated to us was burnt. Our four men are in hospital now, they were shot.
“The Divisional police officer of Ilobu was among those who were shot, he was shot on his hand but thanks to God, they are all responding to treatment. They ambushed policemen when our men attempted to broker peace in the area.”
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has warned perpetrators of such to desist or face wrath of the law.
While making his opening remark at the first interactive session with the people of the state tagged, “Ipade Imole”, in Osogbo, he said the 24 hours curfew has been imposed on the two towns in a bid to restore law and order.
He added that leaders of the two communities have been summoned to his office later in the day in a bid to end the unnecessary killings in the area, saying military operatives have been deployed to the warring towns.
“I am not happy to be here today due to the communal crisis in Ifon-Orolu and Ilobu, where people have been killed senselessly.
“I have directed a joint military taskforce with instructions to shoot at sight with regard to those attempting to disrupt the peace of the communities.
“Henceforth I will not condone these senseless killings. The state government has taken over the disputed lands in the area and anyone seen there should be dealt with appropriately”.
