Following an outbreak of yet another communal clash between Ifon and Ilobu communities in Osun State, the state governor, Ademola Adeleke on Thursday ordered that a curfew be imposed in the two warring communities with 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.
He said the state governor approved that a 7pm to 7am curfew be imposed.
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.
“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 7pm to 7am 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,” Adeleke was quoted in the statement.
