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Indigenes of Ifon-Osun community in Orolu Local Government Area of Osun on Friday, refuted the accusation of Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan that their, monarch, Olufon of Ifon-Osun, Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye is having a killer squad.
The indigenes of the community who debunked the allegation in a press conference in the town, described, the allegation of Olobu and his community that the Olufon of Ifon has armed thugs and hit squad led by Chief Sikiru Mustapha [Baale Isangbe], High Chief Musefiu Kasali of Isangbe, and Chief Fatai Muideen [Baale Alabata] to disturb or making threat of violent attack against the people of Ilobu in villages and farm settlements as untrue.
Addressing newsmen at the event, the President and Secretary of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union (home branch), Alhaji W.O Idowu and Mr Adejumo Adewuyi, respectively, maintained that, the accusation, is an attempt to bring the reputation of the Olufon of Ifon and his community to disrepute.
“The statement credited to the Olobu that, Olufon was using armed thugs to terrorise Ilobu people was not only false but an attempt to fraudulently take possession of the land that does not belong to him (Olobu) and his community.”
Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Ipadeola Akinyooye III, is a peace-loving Ruler, and since he ascended the throne of his ancestors, he has been working tirelessly to ensure peace and orderliness in both his community and the entire Irepodun and Orolu Traditional Council.
“The people that are farming on the Ifon lands with the consent of His Royal Majesty and its community traditionally and willingly pay tributes [isakole] to the various land owners in Ifon Osun community in recognition of the right of ownership and traditional title to the land being used for farming.”
“This is not peculiar to Ifon-Osun alone but a standard practice in all Yoruba communities. The statement by the Olobu that the Olufon of Ifon demanded the payment of tributes [isakole] is highly absurd and far from the truth since the land from time immemorial belonged to Olufon, the customary landlord.
” We however demand an apology from the Olobu for allegedly calling our monarch a terrorist. It is very uncharitable, ungodly, and disrespectful for Olobu and his people to refer to our highly reputable, peace-loving, and revered king as a terrorist and to also regard his noble chiefs as leaders of armed thugs and hit squads, all in the attempt to acquire the land that does not belong to them.”
“We seriously take an exemption to these and we demand an unreserved apology for the false and malicious allegations and labeling.”
“The cry that the false allegation of nefarious acts of Olufon of Ifon and his people might lead to another communal clash is a flimsy excuse for Olobu and his people to resort to violence because they are not committed to peaceful resolution as they keep on trespassing on the BUFFER ZONE created by the State Government as a preliminary step towards peaceful resolution of the land dispute.
“We call on the government and security agencies to please take note of this latest development emanating from Ilobu community. We call security agencies to call Olobu for questioning for raising false alarms.
“We request that the security agencies should rather beam their searchlights on Olobu and his community for raising a baseless and unfounded allegation against the Olufon of Ifon and his community, all to fraudulently take possession of the land that does not belong to them. We also regard it as a calculated and orchestrated plan to mislead and confuse the public, the government, and the security agencies.”
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