By Kayode Adeoti
The crisis that has continued to threatened Osi and its neighbouring communities following the location of Kwara State University Campus (KWASU) in Ekiti Local Government of the state took another twist last Friday as people of Isare-Opin and Osi engaged in a fresh dispute.
Some youths were alleged to have descended on labourers working at the Ekiti campus of KWASU on that fateful day.
For some months after the state government stated its readiness to situate the Kwara South campus of KWASU in Ekiti, there had been argument between Osi and six other neighbouring communities; Isare-Opin, Ihaye, Iyemo-Ikerin, Edemora, Owa-Odo and Ajuba, over the ancestral ownership of the land for the said institution’s arm.
For the debate to be laid to rest and allow peace to reign in the area, the state government decided to name the institution’s arm, Ekiti campus.
However, the latest mayhem may have no connection with the KWASU campus in the area but an alleged encroachment on cashew plantation in Isare-Opin.
In a letter titled; Criminal Conspiracy, Mischief and Grievous Hurt, written by the Isare-Opin Progressive Union and addressed to the Commissioner of Police dated 12th of March, a copy of which was made available to this medium on Tuesday, the group alleged that the people of Osi had consistently encroach their ancestral cashew farmland, thereby harvesting the fruit and its nuts without approval on February 10, 2018.
The letter which was signed by the General Secretary, Elder I.O Daramola and the Asiwaju of the community, further stated that the six people that were earlier arrested in connection with the harvest of cashew were released after being transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department.
The letter also alleged that over 100 indigenes of Osi led by one Fatai Lomi, who was earlier arrested and released, invaded Isare-Opin on Saturday and Sunday thereby inflicting machete wounds on some persons.
Also macheted, according to the letter is the Chief Imam of Isare-Opin, Alhaji Usman Shittu, who was said to have been waylaid on the highway at Osi, pulled out of his car before he was reportedly inflicted with wounds and his car badly damaged.
According to the 17-page letter, the clash between both communities over cashew dated back to 23rd February, 2017.
Speaking on the latest development, in a telephone interview last night, the Alara of Isare-Opin, Oba Joseph Olajide Ayeni said, “On Friday, some people stormed our community, destroyed buildings, burnt motorcycles and even vandalised our health centre. Over N25 million worth property went down for it and Osi people are those behind the attack. It was as if they hired people to join them to execute the dastardly act. On many occasions, they ambushed our women returning from farm,” Alara said.
Speaking from his hospital bed on Monday, Imam Shittu said, “We’ve agreed to sheath our swords but this morning, after my morning prayers, I left for Osi with my car, I was at a place called Idiagan when some boys attacked me. I told them that the crisis had been resolved and that there is no need for further violence, instead of yielding to my plea, they started hitting me on the head… but I thank God that I’m alive.
“Those that attacked me are from Osi and I know someone among them, he’s fondly called Fatai ‘Omo monto’, the cleric stated.
Also reported to have suffered machete cuts is a high chief in Isare-Opin and the next in line to the Lara; others are ; Alfa Salami Busari whose house was reportedly set ablaze, Mr Segun Abioye, whose motorcycle was burnt, Mr.M.K Owolabi and Engr. Olanrewaju Abioye, whose louvers were shattered, Busari,
The union however warned against any further attack on its members even as it urged the Commissioner of Police and the state government to investigate the matter to avoid breakdown of law and order.
When contacted, the Olosi of Osi, Oba Saliu Adasofegbe denied the involvement of members of his community in the attack dispelling the report as rumour.
He said, “Osi is not fighting anyone, the news people are carrying around is nothing but rumour. It was some people who attacked those working on the KWASU site and based on that, I have met with the governor, and the communities involved.
“They are just embarrassing us with the report, all what I want for the communities is peace. So, my aspiration cannot make me indulge in anything unworthy,” he submitted.
In his reaction, the Ekiti Local Government Chairman, Comrade Ayeni Yinka Dallas promised that the matter will be settled internally stressing that it will be out of place to apportion blame on any of the communities involved.
“The issue between Isare-Opin and Osi is quite unfortunate because they have been living in peace for long before this time but it is something we are going to solve internally. We do not want to escalate the crisis by apportioning blames on any of the communities. Some people went to KWASU site to disturb the peace of the area while at the same time some went to Isare-Opin to vandalise property. We want peace restored to the area and as the council chairman, that is what I’m set to achieve,” Dallas stressed.
Efforts to get the reaction of police spokesman in the state, DSP, Ajayi Okasanmi proved abortive as calls and text messages sent to his mobile phone were not attended to as at the time of filing this report.
