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The traditional ruler of Ifetuntun community in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Taofeeq Osunmakinde, the Obawure of Ifetuntun, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged threats to destroy the community
The monarch also appealed to the IGP over incessant clashes arising from a boundary dispute between his community and a neighbouring community in the Ijebu West Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The monarch who spoke in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Sunday, urged Egbetokun to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators of unrest stemming from the ongoing border dispute between Ife South and Ijebu West over the 30-mile land area known as Ifetuntun.
Osunmakinde recalled that in 2001, during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, a conflict erupted between the settlers of Ifetuntun and the Ijebu communities, prompting the Federal Government’s intervention.
But the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation demarcated the borders, allowing both communities to coexist peacefully until now.
According to him, the Ifetuntun community had been existing before 2010, and the recognition of the throne solidified their peaceful way of life, which has persisted since.
He, however, alleged that some top government officials are threatening to destroy the community, noting that armed hoodlums were beginning to take control of the community while security agencies are victimising his people.
He said, “Ifetuntun has experienced the rule of nine military and civilian administrations without significant conflict or disarray in the community.
“However, in 2016, we faced their first attack led by a forest guard from the Ministry of Natural Resources. They hired thugs who burned homes and caused damage estimated at N2 billion in our community.
“Several arrests were made then, while the principal suspects disappeared, and the matter was eventually settled out of court through intervention from the then Ooni of Ife and the former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration.
“But in recent times, a group of hoodlums has been harassing our residents along the federal road connecting Ife South to Ijebu West LGs ( in Osun and Ogun states, respectively). The hoodlums have been extorting money from passersby, claiming to be acting on behalf of the state government.
“We are appealing to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. We have submitted petitions with evidence to his office, as well as to the Osun State and Federal Governments, to come to our aid.
“We are law-abiding citizens and cannot take the law into our own hands. We seek justice and government intervention.”
Explaining the history of the community, the monarch said Ifetuntun had been existing for a long time as a government-reserved area where he served as a chief and traditional ruler.
He added that between 2008 and 2009, a chieftaincy inquiry in Osun State included Ifetuntun, affirming its status as a town.
He said he was crowned as monarch in 2010 by the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, and the then-Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, presented him with a certificate and staff of office.
