One dead, houses burnt in Osun land war

A man identified as Tairu Bidmus, has been killed, while several buildings were razed, during clashes over boundary between Iloba and Erin Osun communities in Osun State.

On Sunday, TopNaija learnt that the crisis started last week when Bidmus was shot dead on the disputed parcel of land in Iloba village. The deceased was reported to have accompanied a government surveyor to the area when he was attacked by hoodlums from Iloba, led by one Saheed. In a reprisal, some people allegedly attacked Iloba and razed the village.

Oloba of Iloba, Oba Gbadamonsi Ajibola, while speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, confirmed the incident, adding that hoodlums were responsible for the arson. Asked if anyone was killed during the fracas, Ajibola said he was away at a mechanic shop to repair his vehicle when the incident occurred.

He, however, noted that one man was killed before the intervention of the police and men of the Amotekun Corps. Ajibola, who said he was the seventh traditional ruler of the town, linked the crisis to a plan by the Osun State Government to elevate him to a part two royal father.

He said, “I was installed Oloba by Timi of Ede. My father was given birth to in this village and I was also born here. But Erin Osun and Egbedi are saying Oloba could not occupy the land where we have lived for years. Each of the six past Olobas spent between 20 and 30 years on the throne. The man I succeeded spent 32 years.

“On Thursday, some people attacked my village and razed about six buildings. Erin town sent those that burnt the buildings. Before that, a plough was deployed to destroy farmlands in Iloba. I urge the government to intervene to prevent bloodshed.” But Chief Abdulfatai Abdulsalam, counsel to Erin Osun community, said no indigene or representative of the community was involved in the arson.

“Iloba people should look for those that burnt their houses. No Erin indigene or the community representative was involved,” Abdulsalam said. He explained that the Iloba did not destroy any farmland, adding that parcels of land belonging to the community in the area were cleared for a proposed housing scheme.

One Mr Suleman, a spokesperson for Erin Osun community, said he did not want to address the issue on the telephone.

He confirmed that the community lost a man over the crisis, adding that the deceased was killed on the disputed land. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said one person was shot dead.

She said, “Some hoodlums from Iloba village, led by one Saheed Tanfeani, shot dead a man, Tairu Bidmus of Erin Osun along Erin/Egbedi Road.

“The incident occurred while a local government surveyor and his team, including the deceased, were working on the disputed land for the Erin Osun Housing Scheme. One Ibraheem Olaniran has been arrested in connection with the incident.”