In a bid to forestall further breakdown of law and order between the two communities, namely Ilobu and Ifon , Osun State Government on Friday imposed a 24-hour curfew in the communities.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, announced the curfew in a statement on Friday.
He said the Governor, Ademola Adeleke, imposed the curfew to prevent the escalation of the crisis and prevent further loss of lives and property.
The statement reads, “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 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 , 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 .
“As a government, the present administration has the obligation as conferred on it by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to protect the lives and properties of the people of Orolu and Irepodun local governments and by extension, Osun state in general.
“The present administration will not in any way be a party to compromising any action or utterances that will mortgage the peace and order currently holding sway in Osun state since the inception of the present administration in the last one year.
“While commiserating with the affected families of those who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis, the present administration is still reiterating the need for peace and order to be restored in the two concerned local governments.
“Maintaining peace and order is our collective responsibility in Osun state.
