By Ayodele Oni
To allow peace and order to reign, the two warring communities of Ifon and Ilobu have signed a peace agreement with the Osun state government.
The agreement is coming just as the two warring communities defied government curfew with more houses set ablaze. The communities agreed to sheath swords with immediate effect.
While welcoming the development as a good omen towards a near lasting peace in the two communities, Osun state government reaffirmed its earlier stand that the 24 hour curfew put in place subsists.
For the past few days, the two hitherto peace-loving communities of Ifon and Ilobu had been embroiled in a communal conflict that had led to the wanton destruction of lives and properties, which informed imposition of curfew.
Announcing the truce reached by the two communities, Osun state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, stated as follows:
“That Ifon and Ilobu Communities of Orolu and Irepodun local governments respectively have agreed to sheath their swords with immediate effect following a signed Peace Agreement to stop the communal clashes
“That notwithstanding this cheering development, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun state in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state directs that the 24-hour Curfew earlier imposed in Orolu and Irepodun local governments housing Ifon and Ilobu communities be continued until further notice.
“That Osun state government appreciates the leadership of Ifon and Ilobu communities as well as Olokanla for the signing of the peace agreement
“That Osun state government, for the umpteenth time commiserates with the families of victims of the communal clashes, who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis.
“That officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other security agents, as directed by His Excellency, are to remain on the 24 hour surveillance of the two communities with a view to ensuring a lasting peace.
“That as a government, the present administration will not stop at doing anything as enshrined in 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.
“That Osun state government appreciates the leadership of Ifon and Ilobu communities as well as Olokanla for the signing of the peace agreement .
“That, Osun state government, for the umpteenth time commiserates with the families of victims of the communal clashes, who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis.”
