The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has imposed a fresh curfew on the communities of Ilobu and Ifon following renewed clashes between the neighboring towns.
According to the Ifon Progressive Union, the umbrella body for indigenes of Ifon-Orolu in Osun State, gunmen allegedly from Ilobu stormed the Apiponroro area, causing panic with gunfire.
Jide Akinyooye, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Ifon-Orolu Progressive Union, explained that the attack began early Tuesday. “Gunshots were heard in Odoje and Golden Gate areas of Ifon,” he stated, adding that many residents were displaced while attempting to flee affected areas.
In contrast, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Chief Goke Ogunsola, refuted the claims, asserting that gunmen from Ifon were responsible for the violence. Ogunsola said residents living near the boundary between the two communities reported that gunmen from Ifon attacked their area.
“Our people living in Ganga and Apiponroro called that gunmen from Ifon laid siege to them; but those who were attacked had to protect themselves one way or the other. A meeting was convened on Monday and right at the meeting, Olufon issued a threat to us,” Ogunsola said.
He added, “We plead with the government to take decisive actions and protect us. We are peace-loving Ilobu. They are the ones attacking us.”
To address the unrest, Kolapo Alimi, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, announced that the government has imposed a curfew from 7 PM to 7 AM daily. He further disclosed that a security team comprising the Army, Police, and Civil Defence had been deployed to the affected areas to maintain order.
In a statement, Alimi said, “Following the outbreak of another communal clash between the people of Ifon and Ilobu, Osun State government has taken the following decisions aimed at ensuring lasting peace in the warring communities:
“That a 7 PM to 7 AM curfew be imposed with immediate effect starting from today, Thursday, the 16th of January 2025, until further notice. All stakeholders in the areas are advised to cooperate with the state government to resolve the issues amicably at ensuring lasting peace.
“That an enlarged committee of stakeholders, which shall consist of the representatives of the communities, the Service Chiefs, the representatives of the State Council of Obas, and other relevant bodies, be immediately constituted to resolve the issue permanently.
“Finally, anyone or group of persons found or caught doing or instigating any further violence, knowingly or unknowingly, in breach of lasting peace, would be made to face the full wrath of the law, via necessary prosecution, in line with the dictates of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
