By Boluwatife Adedokun
Summary: A viral video circulating on X claims that terrorists have taken over Ondo State, causing residents to flee their homes.
However, the video is misleading as it actually shows residents fleeing following a communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State.
The viral post by The Voice of Igbos on X features a 48-second video of residents trekking with loads on their heads, purportedly fleeing a terrorist attack in Ondo State. The caption accompanying the video reads:
“So Ondo is now occupied by terrorists, people are leaving their homes, and Yoruba conservatives are quiet. People that can’t secure and manage their small villages, how on earth do you expect them to handle Nigeria Affairs?”
As of April 2, 2025, the post had garnered over 38,100 views, 532 reposts, 917 likes, and 49 bookmarks, sparking heated debates and discussions on social media.
Verification
In the circulating video, a man speaking in Yoruba repeatedly shouts:
“Ilobu ti tán o! Ilobu ti tán o! Háà! Kílódé? Ẹṣàánú wà ní’lobu. Ṣé ẹ fẹ́ pa wá tán ní’Ilobu ni?”
Translated, it means:
“Ilobu is finished! Ilobu is finished! Háà! What’s the matter?! Have mercy on us in Ilobu. Do you want to kill us all in Ilobu?!”
Ilobu is a town in Osun State, serving as the administrative headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area.
It is located near Ifon-Osun, and the two communities have been in conflict over land ownership and boundary disputes for years.
The most recent clash in March 2025 led to violence, injuries, and residents fleeing for safety. Security operatives intervened to restore calm, but the impact on both communities was significant.
According to reports, over 100,000 people have reportedly been displaced following the attack, with properties valued at more than N2 billion destroyed.
Contrary to the viral claim, the video does not depict a terrorist takeover of Ondo State but rather the aftermath of the communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu in Osun State as the residents fled for their lives to avoid being killed or having their properties destroyed.
However, a search of credible news reports shows several other users who shared this video accurately portraying the event as it occurred in Osun State as seen here and here.
Verdict: False.
The viral video does not show a terrorist takeover of Ondo State but depicts the aftermath of a communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State.
The importance of this fact-check lies in curbing the spread of misinformation that can cause unnecessary panic and foster distrust within communities. Verifying such claims helps maintain social harmony and promotes responsible information sharing.
This verification has been produced with support from BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM) and WITNESS
