There is renewed hope for peace in the warring Osun communities of Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin-Osun, following a key meeting between their traditional rulers and the state government’s expanded peace committee.
The communities, located in Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas, have been locked in a prolonged and deadly boundary dispute that has led to loss of lives and widespread destruction.
Despite curfews and other interventions by the Osun State Government, tensions have persisted. However, a breakthrough may be in sight as the traditional rulers—Oba Peter Akinyooye (Olufon of Ifon), Oba Ashiru Olaniyan (Olobu of Ilobu), and Oba Yusuf Omoloye (Elerin of Erin-Osun)—attended a peace committee meeting in Osogbo for the first time since the body was inaugurated.
The committee, constituted by Governor Ademola Adeleke and chaired by the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, with human rights advocate Waheed Lawal as co-chair, has been tasked with finding a lasting solution to the crisis. It also includes four other respected traditional rulers from the state.
Sources confirmed that the monarchs, previously warned by Governor Adeleke to resolve the boundary tensions or risk dethronement, pledged full cooperation with the government’s peace efforts. They assured the committee of their commitment to restoring peace and stability in their communities.
Speaking to journalists, Co-chair Waheed Lawal confirmed that the committee had listened to the grievances of indigenes, visited disputed buffer zones, and received formal submissions from the affected communities.
“We are hopeful that this step will lead to a lasting resolution. The committee didn’t just take verbal complaints—we went to the areas, saw the situation firsthand, and gathered official documents from each town. The details of our engagements will be made public when our report is submitted to the state government soon,” Lawal said.
