Communal Clash In Osun: Gov Adeleke Imposes Dusk To Dawn Curfew

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday ordered that a curfew be imposed in the two warring communities of Ifon and Ilobu following an outbreak of yet another communal clashwith immediate effect.

The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, in a statement, explained that the restriction of movements of the people is to forestall further escalation of the crisis. The curfew will be from 7:00pm to 7.00am.

No fewer than two persons were said to have been injured in the renewed clash that rocked the neighbouring communities over disagreement on boundary of the lands.

Some stakeholders in the affected communities had called on the state government to take decisive actions to prevent wanton loss of lives and property that the communities witnessed last year when they clashed.

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke also directed security operatives to take over the communities forthwith and ensure that there is no escalation of the brewing violent confrontation.

The statement:

“Following the outbreak of another communal clashes between the people of Ifon and Ilobu, Osun state government has taken the following decisions aimed at ensuring lasting peace in the warring communities.

“That a 7. 00pm to 7.00am curfew be imposed with immediate effect starting from today, Thursday, the 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 at ensuring 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.”