Taiwo Popoola
Governor Ademola Adeleke has reimposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities of Osun State due to unresolved differences
The curfew timeframe, Urban Express News Online gathered would last from 6 pm to 6am daily until peace is restored to both warring communities.
The curfew was announced through a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on Friday.
The statement revealed that the decision to impose the curfew was due to a resurgence of the crisis between Ilobu and Ifon.
“His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, has expressed unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the breakout of fresh communal crises in Ilobu and Ifon.
“To this end, the Governor has directed that the initial 10 PM to 4 AM curfew now be extended to 6PM to 6AM, effective today, Friday, 21st March 2025, until further notice.
“Mr. Governor has equally directed that the joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any act of lawlessness.”
“In addition, the Governor has directed that an immediate stakeholders’ meeting, including the Olufon of Ifon, HRM Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye, HRM Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, the Olobu of Ilobu, and other stakeholders from both communities, be held tomorrow, Saturday, 22nd March 2025, to discuss further resolutions of the conflict.
“Finally, His Excellency urges all sons and daughters of the two communities, as well as their traditional rulers, to follow the path of peace and harmonious co-existence. Anyone or group of persons found aiding and abetting the pogrom will be dealt with accordingly.”
The state governor, Ademola Adeleke had Earlier directed security agencies to arrest the situation and bring culprits and masterminds of the latest violence to face the full wrath of the law.
Governor Adeleke also directed the peace committee inaugurated earlier in the year to get back to work and ensure a peaceful means of settling the disagreement between the two towns.
The step became inevitable after chaos broke out again between the neighbouring towns on Friday.
Unconfirmed reports have it that about thirty people were shot as violence erupted between the two communities which share a common boundary.
It would also be recalled that following the outbreak of incessant communal clashes in the two communities, Governor Adeleke, a few weeks ago, ordered the imposition of a curfew.
