Communal Clash: Ifon/Ilobu Signs Peace Pact As 24-hour Curfew Subsists

The warring communities of Ifon Orolu and Ilobu and Olokanla in Osun State have signed a peace agreement with the state government to sheath their swords with immediate effect.

The lingering clashes between Ifon Orolu and Ilobu communities over landed property have claimed lives and properties worth millions of naira.

While welcoming the development as a good omen towards a near lasting peace in the two communities, Osun state government however reaffirmed its earlier stand that the 24 hour curfew put in place subsists.

Announcing the truce reached by the two communities on Friday night, Osun state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke stated that warring communities have agreed to sheath their swords with immediate effect following a signed peace agreement to stop the communal clashes.

Alimi disclosed that Osun state government delegation to the peace agreement was led by the state  Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi alongside  the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, and other top government officials while Otun Olobu, Chief Jimoh Waliyu, the Esa of Ifon, Chief Babatunde Oyetunji and the representative of the third community of Olokanla, Bashiru Azeez, with two other representatives from each community signed the peace agreement on behalf of their communities.

He noted that Governor Adeleke commended the resolve by the warring communities in putting pen on paper to say *No To War* and *Yes To Peace* in Ifon, Ilobu and  Olokanla communities.

According to him, anyone or group of persons found or caught doing or saying anything contrary to the peace agreement would be prosecuted in line with the dictates of the law accordingly.

He added that officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other security agents will continue in their 24-hour surveillance of the two communities with a view to ensuring a lasting peace.

Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has made a passionate plea to the warring communities to allow peace to reign in the area.

His words:  “In the name of God from the throne of Oduduwa, we are all the same, one race! Please let us stop the killings and destruction of property. The youths of these communities, I beg you with this throne , we came from this throne, so we are all the same, I use his throne to beg you, please don’t let it escalate further, be your brother’s keeper. God bless you.