The Osun State Government has issued a directive imposing a 24-hour curfew in the communities of Ilobu and Ifon, effective immediately, 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.
The statement reads, 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 takeover 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, the 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.”
He further said that the administration in the state must protect the lives and properties of the people of Orolu and Irepodun local governments and by extension, Osun state in general.
The statement further declared that the administration would not be a party to any action or remark that might jeopardise the state’s current peace and order.
While commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis, the government reiterated the need for peace and order to be restored to the two concerned local governments.
