Osun state government relaxes curfew in warring communities

The Osun State Government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun in the wake of last month’s outbreak of violence in the communities, citing the gradual return to peace in the three warring communities as the reason for the relaxation.

Penpushing reports that the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on Tuesday, said Governor Ademola Adeleke adjusted the curfew, now lasting 12 hours from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.

The statement said the Governor expressed satisfaction with the ceasefire and attributed the development to the cooperation of traditional rulers and their subjects, adding that the relaxation of the curfew takes immediate effect.

Penpushing further reports that the Commissioner said the Governor expressed satisfaction with the ceasefire and attributed the development to the cooperation of traditional rulers and their subjects.

“Now that peace is gaining the centre stage on a daily basis, it gladdens my heart, as the Governor and Chief Security Officer of Osun State to announce the relaxation of the curfew earlier imposed on Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Osun communities from 17 hours to 12 hours daily with effect from today’, the statement reads.

Penpushing also reports that the statement added that the governor said the relaxation of the curfew is seen as a positive development in the efforts to resolve the communal disputes in the area.

The statement emphasized that it is also expected to ease the burden on residents and allow for greater freedom of movement, especially for students writing their final school leaving examinations.

Penpushing reports that the joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, despite the relaxation will maintain 24-hour surveillance to prevent any acts of lawlessness.

The statement added that the governor directed the security agencies to ensure zero tolerance for any form of lawlessness or disruption of peace in the communities, and equally directed the 100-member crisis resolution committee to expedite their assignments and find a lasting solution to the communal disputes.

Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that the committee was set up by the administration in January, while the Governor noted that it is only in an atmosphere of peace and unity there will be growth and development

“It is only in an atmosphere of peace and unity that the much-sought growth and development can be achieved in the three communities of Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun as well as the entire state’, Adeleke said.

Penpushing also reports that the governor urged all stakeholders to cooperate in maintaining peace and unity in the communities and warned that anyone found fomenting or aiding the crisis will face the law.

The Governor expressed optimism that the relaxation of the curfew would help to create an enabling environment for the communities to come together and work towards a lasting solution to their differences.

Penpushing reports that the decades-long conflict between the three communities’ dates back several years, with each side accusing the other of aggression and land encroachment, and despite efforts to resolve the dispute through peaceful means, tensions have continued to simmer.

The tension between the warring communities escalated in March which led to the loss of lives and destruction of property, while residents fled to neighbouring towns to seek refuge, while the Governor had earlier threatened to dethrone the traditional rulers of Ifon, Erin Osun, and Ilobu if violence recurred in the communities.

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