The Osun State Government has ordered a 24-hour curfew with immediate effect in the Ifon and Ilobu communities of the state, following the ongoing communal clashes between its members leading to the loss of lives and properties.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the curfew was to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the once “peaceful and law-abiding” communities.

“To maintain a lasting peace and order pending when the issues at hand would be amicably resolved, Governor Ademola Adeleke in his executive capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the State, has ordered the immediate take over of the disputed lands/areas by his administration,” the statement read.

The state government also ordered strict restriction of both human and vehicular movements in the affected areas and communities, until otherwise directed by Adeleke.

“Accordingly, officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising, the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps have been directed by His Excellency, to be on a 24 hour surveillance of the two communities with a view to ensuring a lasting peace,” it added.

See the full statement below:

NEWS RELEASE

Communal Clash: Osun Govt Imposes a 24-hour Curfew on Orolu & Irepodun LGs.

…Takes immediate possession of the Disputed Lands/Areas

OSOGBO – 6/10/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

Sequel to the ongoing communal clashes between Ifon and Ilobu communities, leading to the loss of lives and properties, Osun state government has directed that a 24-hour curfew commences with immediate effect in the two communities.

The curfew is with a view to forestalling further breakdown of law and order in the hitherto two peaceful and law abiding communities.

A statement in respect in respect of the unfortunate development as released by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon Kolapo Alimi on behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke reads as follows:

Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed that a 24-hour Curfew begins in Orolu and Irepodun local governments housing Ifon and Ilobu communities with immediate effect.

To maintain a lasting peace and order pending when the issues at hand would be amicably resolved, Governor Ademola Adeleke in his executive capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the State, has ordered the immediate take over of the disputed lands/areas by his administration.

In the same vein, government has ordered that anyone, or group of persons found or seen doing one thing or the other on the disputed lands/ areas would be made to face the full wrath of the law accordingly, by Osun state government.

Therefore, in strict compliance with the 24 hour curfew now imposed, Adeleke administration has also ordered strict restriction of both human and vehicular movements in the affected areas and communities, until otherwise directed by His Excellency, the state Governor and the Chief Security Officer of Osun state.

Accordingly, officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising, the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps have been directed by His Excellency, to be on a 24 hour surveillance of the two communities with a view to ensuring a lasting peace.

As a government, the present administration has the obligation as conferred on it by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to protect the lives and properties of the people of Orolu and Irepodun local governments and by extension, Osun state in general.

The present administration will not, in anyway be a party to compromising any action or utterances that will mortgage the peace and order currently holding sway in Osun state since the inception of the present administration in the last one year.

While commiserating with the affected families of those who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis, the present administration is still reiterating the need for peace and order to be restored in the two concerned local governments.

Maintaining peace and order is our collective responsibility in Osun state.

Signed:

Oluomo Kolapo Alimi

Commissioner for Information

And Public Enlightenment,

Osun state.

(Channels TV)

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