HATFIELD, United Kingdom (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Osun State Government, on Friday, imposed an immediate 24-hour curfew in the communities of Ilobu and Ifon following clashes over a land dispute.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, announced that the curfew is to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the two communities.
Alimi also said the Governor, Ademola Adeleke, imposed the curfew to prevent the escalation of the crisis and prevent further loss of lives and property.
According to reports, about eight people were feared killed in a communal clash involving both communities on Thursday.
The crisis reportedly erupted due to an ongoing land dispute, according to sources.
The statement reads, “To maintain 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.
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“In the same vein, the 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 stated 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.