The Osun State Government has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Ile-Ife after clashes in the city claimed lives and led to the destruction of properties, a media to the state governor said on Wednesday.

The curfew “has been compelled by the breach of the peace in the area which has led to an avoidable destruction of lives and properties,” said the state’s Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon. The curfew, which came into effect immediately, is from 6 pm to 7 am and in force until Friday.

Okanlawon assured of the readiness of the security forces to quell the faceoff which has led to the destruction of properties in affected area of the ancient city.

He warned those involved in the crisis, vowing that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone arrested. He added that the State Government would not tolerate breach of public peace in any party of the state.

The statement assured of the readiness of the security forces to quell the crisis, saying that security forces have been deployed to the scene of the clash between Yoruba and Hausa people in Ile Ife.

Okanlawon said: “This is to assure all and sundry that the breach of the peace in Ile Ife is not beyond the control of our highly mobilised security forces.

“To this end, the Governor of the State of Osun, upon receiving reports of the fracas, the exact cause of which is still under investigation, has deployment of adequate security forces and is getting minute-by-minute situation reports.

“The Government therefore warns those involved in this act of criminal breach of public peace to end it immediately as the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone arrested.”

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of seven persons with several others injured ‎during the crisis that broke out on Wednesday morning in Ile Ife.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Aminu Koji, confirmed this to reporters at the Ile-Ife Area Command.

Mr Koji said the police have been able to bring the situation under control, adding that normalcy has returned to the areas affected by the clash.

He explained that the clash was caused by an altercation between a Yoruba woman and an Hausa man on Tuesday, and was consequently brought under control on the directive of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The DCP said the incident has left many homeless while goods worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

During his visit to palace of the Ooni of Ife, he assured Oba Ogunwusi that the police would reinforce the security operatives at Sabo and Obalufon areas to ensure the crisis was brought under total control.

Mr Koji hinted that thousands of Hausa indigenes have been evacuated to the Ile Ife Area Command for safety and to later reunite with their families.

•Additional reports by Channels and The Guardian.

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