9 injured in Osun communal crisis

By Tope Abiola - 13.03.2008

ABOUT nine persons were injured in a clash between the Omo-Ijesa and Erin-Ijesa communities in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State.

An 80-year-old woman, Mrs. Iyabo Amao, and members of her family were said to be macheted and now hospitalised in Ijebu-Jesa, while four others were also receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ilesa as at the time of filing this report.

Indigenes of Omo-Ijesa alleged that they were attacked by some hoodlums while they were going to their farms.

But the Erin-Ijesa people also alleged that the Omo inhabitants trespassed on their land which resulted into the crisis.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the two communities had been at loggerheads since 33 years ago over some acres of land.

Efforts by the local government authorities to resolve the issue had been in vain.

When contacted, a senior police source at the police headquarters in Osogbo confirmed the incident, saying that “two suspects are now in our custody and we are investigating the cause of the crisis and working on how it would be resolved to prevent subsequent crisis in the area.”