More than 3,000 farmers from Iloba and Oloosape communities in Osun State have called on the federal and state governments to facilitate their return to their ancestral lands, six years after violent attacks forced them to flee.
The farmers, who gathered in Osogbo on Monday, said they were displaced in 2019 following attacks by armed individuals from the neighbouring Egbedi community.
Since then, they have been unable to access their farmlands.
Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, the Olu of Oloosape, Oba Hassan Adegoke, stated that nearly all structures in Iloba and Oloosape, including his palace, were set ablaze during the attacks.
He noted that the displacement had crippled farming activities, their main source of livelihood.
“More than 3,000 farmers are unable to return to their farms due to fear of further attacks,” he said. “We can’t keep sleeping on the streets when we have our own homes.”
Oba Adegoke emphasized that his people are peace-loving and have no interest in territorial disputes.
He recounted that his appointment as Baale in 2009 was peaceful and supported by the late Elegbedi of Egbedi. “We didn’t encroach on their land. We just want peace,” he added.
Also speaking, a community leader in Iloba, Adesoji Aderemi, denied allegations linking Iloba residents to a February 27 shooting incident in Egbedi, which left seven people injured. He called for an impartial investigation to identify the true perpetrators.
Aderemi also dismissed claims by the Elegbedi that the Timi of Ede or his subjects were involved in the incident.
According to report, Efforts to get a response from the Elegbedi of Egbedi, Oba Azeez, were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.
