LG Crisis: Residents, OAU Students In Panic As Gunfire Erupts In Ile Ife
Panic gripped parts of Ile-Ife on Monday evening as gunfire erupted beyond the Ibadan Road axis, sending residents and students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) into a state of heightened fear.
The gunshots, reportedly linked to the ongoing Osun Local Government crisis, have raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the state.
While security agencies have yet to release an official statement on the latest violence, eyewitness accounts indicate that armed clashes erupted in some parts of the town.
A resident of the affected area, Mr. Akeem Olatunji, said that the gunfire started around 3:30 p.m., forcing many people to take cover.
“I was on my way home when I heard rapid gunshots. At first, I thought it was firecrackers, but when I saw people running, I knew something was wrong. The area became deserted within minutes,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs. Bolanle Adebayo, expressed fear over the continued unrest.
“This situation is getting out of hand. We just want peace. People cannot go about their daily activities freely anymore. The government must act fast before it escalates further,” she lamented.
Reacting to the development, the Great Ife Students’ Union has issued an urgent safety alert, warning students to avoid the crisis zone and remain vigilant.
The Union’s President, Omoboriowo Damilola Isaac, popularly known as Dr. Bush, assured students that the leadership was in close contact with security agencies to ensure their safety.
“We strongly advise all students to stay away from the affected areas and remain indoors if necessary. We understand the fear this has caused, but we are actively engaging relevant authorities to restore calm. The well-being of our students remains our priority,” he stated.
He urged students to remain alert and report any suspicious activities.
“We have been following reports of the gunfire, and we are calling on security agencies to intervene swiftly. Students should avoid large gatherings and take necessary precautions until normalcy is restored,” he advised.
