Ifon-Ilobu communal disputes: Osun govt relax curfew, directs 24 hours security vigilance

The Osun State Government has relaxed the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on Ifon-Orolu and Ilobu communities following the outbreak of communal violence early in the year.

According to a statement by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment on Sunday, the decision to relax the curfew by the state government follows gradual return of peace and harmony between the warring communities.

The government also directed all security agencies to maintain a 24 hour security surveillance over the affected communities.

The curfew earlier imposed on the towns by the state government was from 7pm to 7am but henceforth it will be from 10pm to 4 am, starting from Sunday March 2, 2025.

DAILY POST recalled that as a result of communal clashes, Governor Ademola Adeleke had imposed curfew in the warring communities.

The renewed outbreak of violence led to the death of an undergraduate in Ilobu town.

The statement revealed that Governor Adeleke expressed satisfaction that, at last, peace is gradually returning to the affected communities.

The statement reads, “His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke has expressed happiness and satisfaction with the gradual return to peace in the embattled communities of Ifon and Ilobu over land disputes.

“Though not yet 100% return to peace, Governor Adeleke however, expressed conviction that, it is just a matter of time for total peace to be attained in the communities.

“Accordingly, the Governor has directed that the initial 7pm to 7am curfew imposed on the two communities by his administration in the wake of the crisis on the 16th day of January 2025 be relaxed from the hitherto 12 hours to 6 hours daily, beginning from 10pm to 4am with effect from today, Sunday 2nd day of March, 2025 until total peace is seen and noted to have been returned.

“Furthermore, Mr Governor has directed the contingent of all security personnel, including the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to continue to maintain a 24 hour surveillance in the warring communities.

“All stakeholders in the communities are further advised to cooperate with the State Government to resolve the issues amicably.

“Finally, His Excellency urges all sons and daughters of the two communities, including their traditional rulers and other interested stakeholders, to use the period of the ongoing holy month of Ramadan to pray for lasting peace and harmony .

“Mr Governor equally renewed his earlier appeal and warning that, anyone or group of persons found or caught doing or masterminding any further breakdown of law and order to truncate the level of peace being gradually achieved in the two communities will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Ifon-Ilobu communal clashes: Osun Govt relaxes curfew, orders 24 hours security vigilance