Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has announced the immediate imposition of a curfew in two communities affected by recent communal violence.
The decision follows clashes between the Ifon and Ilobu communities, which have escalated in recent days.
Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered in a statement released on Thursday, January 16, 2025, by the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
The governor outlined measures aimed at restoring peace and preventing further bloodshed in the affected areas.
The curfew will be enforced daily from 7 pm to 7 am, starting immediately, and will remain in effect until further notice.
Governor Adeleke’s decision to implement a curfew comes after rising tensions between the two neighboring communities.
The clashes between Ifon and Ilobu have caused concern among residents and government officials alike.
To prevent the situation from spiraling further out of control, Adeleke has directed the deployment of a substantial security presence to the affected areas.
This includes personnel from the Nigerian Army, Police Force, and the Civil Defence Corps, all of whom have been tasked with maintaining order and preventing any further outbreaks of violence.
Governor Adeleke also emphasized the importance of cooperation between the local communities and the state government to bring about a lasting resolution to the crisis.
He called on all stakeholders, including traditional rulers and community leaders, to actively participate in efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
In line with this, the state government is establishing a broad-based committee comprising representatives from both communities, the security agencies, the State Council of Obas, and other relevant groups.
This committee’s mandate will be to mediate and work toward a permanent solution to the ongoing tensions between Ifon and Ilobu.
Governor Adeleke also made it clear that anyone found inciting or participating in violence during the curfew will face legal consequences.
He warned that the full weight of the law would be applied to anyone caught disturbing the peace or attempting to inflame the situation further.
He emphasized that the state government is committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens and will take all necessary steps to prevent any further violence.
The imposition of the curfew and the deployment of security forces are part of Governor Adeleke’s ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in Osun State, particularly in communities experiencing unrest.
The governor reiterated his call for unity and peace among the people of Osun as the government works toward a permanent resolution of the crisis.
