In a bid to restore order amid escalating violence, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has re-imposed a strict 12-hour curfew on the warring Ifon and Ilobu communities. This move comes after violent clashes flared up once again between the two towns, resulting in fatalities and widespread property damage.
A statement released on Friday by Kolapo Alimi, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, confirmed that the curfew will be enforced from 6 pm to 6 am daily until further notice. The Governor also directed an urgent meeting between the traditional rulers of both communities Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, and Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan along with other key stakeholders, to convene on Saturday, March 22, 2025, to discuss resolutions for the ongoing conflict.
“The curfew has been extended to run from 6 pm to 6 am, effective today, Friday, March 21, 2025, until further notice,” the statement read. “The Governor has also ordered a joint security team, including the Nigerian Army, Police, and Civil Defence Corps, to maintain 24-hour surveillance, ensuring no tolerance for any acts of lawlessness.”
Governor Adeleke has further urged the people of Ifon and Ilobu, along with their traditional leaders, to pursue peace and unity, warning that anyone found fueling the violence would face severe consequences.
The latest flare-up of hostilities occurred on Friday, leading to the tragic death of Azeez, a former councillor from Ifon, who was reportedly shot and later succumbed to his injuries at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo. During the violence, several homes were also reportedly set ablaze.
Yusuf Adekunle, media aide to the Olufon of Ifon, accused the Ilobu community of sponsoring the attack, though this was swiftly denied by the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Adegoke Ogunsola, who claimed that Ifon residents initiated the assault on Ilobu, causing numerous injuries.
With tensions running high, the imposition of the curfew and the call for dialogue signal the state’s commitment to resolving the crisis and ensuring lasting peace between the two communities.
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