In response to the outbreak of renewed communal tensions between the Ifon and Ilobu communities, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has directed the immediate imposition of a curfew in the affected areas.
This development was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, in a press statement released today in Osogbo, the state capital.
To prevent further escalation of the conflict, the governor has approved a curfew to be enforced from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily.
Kolapo Alimi’s statement provided additional details on the curfew, underscoring the state government’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring the safety of lives and property in the communities.
“Following the outbreak of another communal clash between the people of Ifon and Ilobu, the Osun state government has taken the following decisions aimed at ensuring lasting peace in the warring communities.
“That a 7 pm to 7 am curfew be imposed with immediate effect starting from today, Thursday 16th of Jan 2025 until further notice.
“That a contingent of all security personnel, comprising the Army, Police, and Civil Defence has been, accordingly, deployed to the warring communities to forestall further anarchy.
“That all stakeholders in the areas are advised to cooperate with the State Government to resolve the issues amicably to ensure lasting peace.
“That an enlarged Committee of Stakeholders which shall consist of the representatives of the Communities, the Service Chiefs, the representatives of the State Council of Obas and other relevant bodies be immediately constituted to resolve the issue permanently.
“Finally, anyone or group of persons, found or caught doing or instigating any further violence, knowingly or unknowingly, in breach of lasting peace would be made to face the full wrath of the law, via necessary prosecution, in line with the dictates of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” ended the press statement.