Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has imposed a curfew on the Ifon and Ilobu communities following renewed communal clashes.
This decision, aimed at curbing the escalating violence, was announced in a statement released on Thursday by the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi.
The statement confirmed that the curfew would take effect immediately, running daily from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am until further notice. The move is part of a broader effort by the state government to restore peace and order in the affected areas.
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“Following the outbreak of another communal clash between the people of Ifon and Ilobu, the 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 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.”
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“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,” the statement read.
The communal clashes between Ifon and Ilobu have been a recurring issue, with previous efforts at reconciliation yielding limited success.
The state government’s latest measures underscore its commitment to ensuring that peace is permanently restored in the communities.