The monarch of Ifetuntun, Oba Taofeeq Osunmakinde, in Ife South Local Council of Osun State, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, seeking urgent intervention to prevent the alleged move to raze his community.

The monarch, who decried the purported violence linked to a protracted boundary dispute with a neighbouring community, expressed grave concern that armed hoodlums, allegedly acting with the backing of certain top government officials, were beginning to take control of the area.

While speaking with newsmen on Friday in Akure, Ondo State, the traditional ruler revealed credible information at his disposal indicated that Ifetuntun faced being imminently attacked. He urged the IGP to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators of unrest stemming from the border dispute over the 30-mile land area.

The monarch explained that Ifetuntun has existed for a long time as a government-reserved area where he served as a chief, known as “Baale.” Oba Osunmakinde recounted that in 2001, during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, a conflict erupted between the settlers of Ifetuntun and the Ijebu, prompting federal government intervention. He said the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation demarcated the borders, allowing both communities to coexist peacefully until now.

Also, he noted 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.

He noted that while Ifetuntun had existed before 2010, this recognition of the throne solidified their peaceful way of life, which has persisted since.

The monarch highlighted that Ifetuntun has experienced the rule of nine military and civilian administrations without significant conflict or disarray in the community.

However, he recounted that in 2016, they faced their first attack led by a forest guard from the Ministry of Natural Resources. According to him, they hired thugs who burnt homes and caused damage estimated at N2 billion.

The monarch said several arrests were made while the principal suspects disappeared, and the matter was eventually settled out of court through intervention from the Ooni of Ife and the former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration.

The monarch alleged that a group of hoodlums had been harassing residents along the federal road connecting Ife South to Ijebu West. He said the hoodlums have been extorting money from passersby, claiming to be acting on behalf of the state government.

The monarch expressed concern that some top government officials are threatening to level Ifetuntun within the next 24 hours, noting that armed hoodlums are beginning to take control of the community while Amotekun, acting on behalf of the commissioner, is victimising law-abiding citizens.

He said, “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.” (The Guardian, but headline rejigged)