Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes 24-Hour curfew on warring communities

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared a 24-hour curfew on Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin-Osun communities to curb the escalating communal clashes in the areas.

The governor, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, expressed deep concern over the renewed hostilities between Ilobu and Ifon, which have now spread to Erin-Osun. Initially, a 6 PM to 6 AM curfew was imposed, but due to the worsening situation, it has been extended to a round-the-clock restriction, effective immediately.

“His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, is saddened by the escalation of the communal clashes between Ilobu and Ifon communities. To ensure that the crisis is contained, the curfew has been extended to Erin-Osun, and the curfew time is now 24 hours daily, starting from March 22, 2025, until further notice,” the statement read.

Adeleke has also directed a joint security team, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NDLEA, and Amotekun, to enforce compliance and maintain order in the affected areas.

Additionally, the governor has scheduled an emergency stakeholders’ meeting with traditional rulers, including the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye, and the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, along with other key figures from both communities.

The meeting aims to find lasting solutions to the conflict.

Governor Adeleke called on residents to shun violence and embrace peaceful coexistence.

Meanwhile, the Ilobu community has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director of the Department of State Security, Adeola Ajayi, for intervention.

The National President of the Ilobu Development Union (IDU), Pastor Olufemi Salako, decried the ongoing violence, claiming that over 100,000 people have been displaced, several lives lost, and properties worth more than N2 billion destroyed.

“We call on the Federal Government to come to our aid. We are defenseless and uncertain of what tomorrow holds. We also appeal to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief for affected individuals and businesses,” Salako stated.

He further alleged that the Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun communities were behind the attacks, accusing the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Ipadeola Akinyooye, of fostering hostilities against Ilobu.