Around 3,000 residents of Iloba and Oloosape in Osun State are appealing to both the federal and state governments for assistance to help them return to their communities after being forced out by criminals in 2019.
The displaced residents, all farmers, allege that they were driven from their homes by hoodlums from the neighboring Egbedi community.
During a meeting in Osogbo on Monday, the Olu of Oloosape, Oba Hassan Adegoke, spoke on behalf of the displaced individuals, revealing that nearly all the structures in both Iloba and Oloosape were destroyed in the attack.
He also stated that his own palace was targeted and damaged during the violence.
Since the assault in 2019, the affected residents have been unable to return to their farms.
Oba Adegoke called on the government and security forces to intervene, highlighting the severe impact the violence has had on the farming communities.
He stressed that his people did not encroach on the land of the Egbedi community and pleaded for peace, saying, “We are peaceful, and all we want is peace in Oloosape and Iloba.”
“We have over 3,000 farmers who are unable to access their farms due to the attack. We want to return to our land. We can’t continue living on the streets when we have homes. Since the attack, our people, mostly farmers, have fled, fearing intimidation and even death from hoodlums from Egbedi. We are appealing to both the Osun State Government and the Federal Government for help,” Oba Adegoke said.
In a related development, Mr. Adesoji Aderemi, a community leader from Iloba, rejected accusations made by Oba Azeez of Egbedi, who claimed that the shooting incident on February 27, which injured seven people, was carried out by individuals from Iloba and Ede.
Aderemi, who pointed out that the Oloba family from Ede had been living and farming peacefully in Iloba for many years, called for an independent investigation into the attacks on farmers to identify the true perpetrators.
Aderemi further clarified that neither the Timi of Ede, Oba Adesola Lawal, nor his subjects were aware of the attack, stressing the importance of an impartial investigation into the security challenges facing the communities.
Attempts to reach Oba Azeez for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone calls went unanswered, and he did not respond to text messages regarding the matter.
