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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Four policemen, including a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), were reportedly shot during a communal clash between Ilobu and and Ifon communities in Osun State.
It was gathered that the policemen were ambushed by some hoodlums who alleged that they are siding a community against the other.
The patrol van of the policemen and houses located between the warring communities were also razed down by arsonists.
The Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident in a statement, on Thursday.
“A new patrol van of the police was burnt on Wednesday. They accused the police of taking side. It is unfortunate that the monitoring section van that was donated to us was burnt. Four of our men were ambushed when they attempted to broker peace in the area.
“The Divisional Police Officer of Ilobu was among those who were shot. The four officers are currently in the hospital and are all responding to treatment,” she said.
Adeleke confiscates contested land
Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has said that the parcel of land in contention between Ilobu and Ifon communities has been confiscated by the state government.
Adeleke disclosed this at the first edition of Ipade Imole, a public accountability programme, held in Osogbo, on Thursday.
The governor also stressed that he has obtained the cooperation of the Chief Of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to deploy military personnel to maintain law and order in both communities.
“I am not happy today. These clashes would chase away investors.
“As a government, we have seized the parcel of land in contention. The Osun State Government has seized that land and I have given the security operatives the order to deal with anybody who contravenes my directive.
“I have also obtained the assurance of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in this regard.
“He has promised to deploy soldiers to the affected communities to complement the efforts of the Nigerian Police.
“Anybody who wants to cause mayhem, I am warning them right now to be careful. If it is sabotaged, it will not work at all.
“These clashes are not helping anyone but rather chasing investors away to other states.
“It is sad that lives are being lost daily over what belongs to God and not man,” he said
The governor called on traditional rulers, chiefs and community leaders,m to call their subjects to order.
“It is not when the government intervenes with force that people will not be complaining.
“A military deployment will be punitive to both communities who have failed to allow for peaceful resolution of the problem on ground,” he added.