Deaths Recorded In Osun Communal Clash, Govt Imposes Curfew

By Ayodele Oni

Following unending communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun state, the state government has imposed 24hours curfew.

The two communities in Orolu and Irepodun local governments, have engaged in violence, which has claimed lives over a portion of land between them.

Apart from curfew, the state government has also announced taking over of the disputed area.

State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi in a statement, declared that “on behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke has directed that a 24-hour Curfew begins in Orolu and Irepodun local governments housing Ifon and Ilobu communities with immediate effect.

“To maintain a lasting peace and order pending when the issues at hand would be amicably resolved, Governor Ademola Adeleke in his executive capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the State, has ordered the immediate take over of the disputed lands/areas by his administration.

“In the same vein, government has ordered that anyone, or group of persons found or seen doing one thing or the other on the disputed lands/ areas would be made to face the full wrath of the law accordingly, by Osun state government.

“Therefore, in strict compliance with the 24 hour curfew now imposed, Adeleke administration has also ordered strict restriction of both human and vehicular movements in the affected areas and communities, until otherwise directed by His Excellency, the state Governor and the Chief Security Officer of Osun state.

“Accordingly, officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising, the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps have been directed by His Excellency, to be on a 24 hour surveillance of the two communities with a view to ensuring a lasting peace.

“As a government, the present administration has the obligation as conferred on it by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to protect the lives and properties of the people of Orolu and Irepodun local governments and by extension, Osun state in general.

“The present administration will not, in anyway be a party to compromising any action or utterances that will mortgage the peace and order currently holding sway in Osun state since the inception of the present administration in the last one year.

“While commiserating with the affected families of those who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis, the present administration is still  reiterating the need for peace and order to be restored in the two concerned local governments.

“Maintaining peace and order is our collective responsibility in Osun state.”