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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Osun State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Ilobu and Ifon communities, to put an end to escalating tensions and prevent further disturbances.
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, announced the curfew in a statement on Friday, adding that it was to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the two communities.
“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 (CSO) of the state, has ordered the immediate take over of the disputed lands/areas by his administration.
“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,” Alimi said.
According to the commissioner, the current administration in the state must protect the lives and property of the people of Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas and by extension, Osun State in general.
He added that the administration would not be a party to any action or remark that might jeopardise the current peace and order in the state.
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.
Eight people were reportedly killed in a communal clash between both communities on Thursday.