The Osun State Government has relaxed the curfew imposed on Erin-Osun, Ifon and Ilobu communities from 17 to 12 hours.
The directive by Governor Ademola Adeleke was contained in a statement by Kolapo Alimi, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, on Tuesday.
Governor Adeleke stated that the directive is based on the gradual return to peace in the three warring communities in Irepodun and Ifon-Orolu local governments.
The governor also explained that the relaxation of the curfew follows various security reports indicating that the much-anticipated ceasefire is becoming more prominent on a daily basis.
The statement read: “Accordingly, the Governor has directed that the curfew should, beginning from today, Tuesday (08/4/25), commence from 7pm to 7am daily until further notice.
“Now that peace is gaining 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.
“As a Governor, I am again reaffirming my commitment to do everything morally and officially possible at my executive disposal to bring the communal fracas in the three communities to an amicable end.
“So far, I am equally happy to say that the traditional rulers of the three communities and their subjects have been living up to the desired expectations in ensuring a gradual return to peace. This is good and heartwarming. I urge them to keep the tempo high in this regard.
“In the same vein, the new trend in the time frame of the curfew will also allow our children, who wish to write WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations, to do so without any form of hindrance, as we cannot allow their future to be mortgaged.
“However, I am still directing that the joint security team, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, should continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any act of lawlessness.
“This is not without reiterating the need for all stakeholders to cooperate by embracing the much-sought peace in the three communities, as anyone, group or community caught or found wanting in fomenting or aiding the crisis in any way will be made to face the music in line with the dictates of Nigerian law.
“I am seizing this opportunity to, once again, remind and direct the 100-member crisis resolution committee on Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun communal mayhem, set up by this administration in the wake of the crisis a few months ago, to expedite their assignments in order to find a lasting solution to the problem.
“My administration and the entire people of Osun State will not settle for less from your committee in providing us with a pathway towards ensuring a lasting resolution to the age-old communal disputes.
“I urge all sons and daughters of the three communities, both at home and in the diaspora, to cooperate with me and my administration to bring this crisis to an end once and for all.
“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.”
As violence escalated between the three communities in the middle of March, the state government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Ilobu and Ifon communities.
The government also extended the curfew to 24 hours and expanded it to the Erin-Osun community.
The curfew was later relaxed to 17 hours before the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
