In response to the escalating communal crisis between the Ifon and Ilobu communities, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared a 24-hour curfew in two affected Local Government Areas of the state.
The long-standing land dispute between the communities has led to violent confrontations, resulting in multiple casualties and property destruction. On Friday, at least three individuals, including a former councillor, were reportedly killed. Several others sustained gunshot wounds, forcing women and children to flee their homes for safety.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, the state government announced the extension of the curfew to Erin-Osun town.
“Adeleke has approved that the curfew be extended to Erin-Osun town. The curfew time is now 24 hours daily,” the statement read.
The government also directed security agencies to enforce the curfew and maintain order in the troubled areas.
“Governor directs all security agencies such as the Military, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Immigration, NDLEA, and Amotekun, among others, to extend its security surveillance to the community.
“All the security agencies are to ensure strict compliance to the curfew, which is now 24 hours daily until peace is restored. The imposed curfew was necessary to forestall escalation of the crisis and breakdown of law and order due to the communal clashes in the communities.”
Additionally, Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson Olawale Rasheed, reassured residents of both Ilobu and Ifon that urgent measures were being taken to resolve the conflict. He also instructed the state’s emergency services agency to activate its response mechanisms to aid affected residents.
The governor emphasised his administration’s commitment to peacebuilding, stating that multiple conflict resolution strategies were being implemented.
“I assure the people of Ilobu and Ifon that I am committed to securing their lives and properties. I have updated the presidency on developments in the state. We are on top of the situation,” he said.
Furthermore, Adeleke condemned the circulation of old videos depicting past communal clashes, accusing opposition elements of using them to create a false impression of widespread insecurity in the state.
“Meanwhile, we seek to bring to the attention of the public that old videos of communal conflicts in some parts of Osun state are being circulated by opposition elements to spread false pictures of insecurity in Osun state.
“While the ongoing conflict is regrettable and while all hands are on deck to stop the violence, we inform the public to take note of the activities of fake news merchants who are digging up old videos to discredit the state government.
“The videos being circulated of violence in other towns and villages in Osun are fake news and should be disregarded by the members of the public.”
