Adeleke imposes curfew on Osun communities over renewed clashes

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reimposed the 6 pm to 6 am curfew on Ilobu and Ifon communities, following renewed hostilities involving the towns.

The governor announced the decision in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Militias from Ilobu and Ifon communities had resumed fighting in villages at the border of Osun and Oyo States on Monday.

Police had confirmed the death of two persons in the crisis while property was also said to have been destroyed.

Before the latest crises, Adeleke had in October last year imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the two communities due to bloody clashes involving them.

The curfew was however lifted in December, having observed that relative peace had returned to the area.

The Tuesday statement read partly, “Premised on the review of the security situation, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, has approved that the 6 pm to 6 am curfew be imposed with immediate effect.

“The Osun State Government should set up a joint task force of all stakeholders in the warring communities, which should include traditional chiefs of Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun with immediate effect.

“A high-powered stakeholders meeting will be held with all traditional chiefs and rulers from the three communities with government officials and all security chiefs in attendance. That a contingent of all security personnel, comprising the Army, Police, Civil Defence, be deployed to the warring communities with immediate effect.”