Osun State Governor,Ademola Adeleke has ordered the deployment of a joint peacekeeping force to restore peace in the warring Ifon Orolu and Ilobu communities of the state.
The governor, who disclosed this at the maiden edition of the Ipade Imole, a public accountability platform held in Osogbo, said he had secured the cooperation of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, to deploy military personnel to the areas.
Adeleke also announced the takeover of the disputed land between Ifon Orolu and Ilobu in Orolu and Irepodun local government areas of the state for now.
Residents of the crisis-ridden communities have been fleeing their various communities to seek protection of their lives elsewhere following the renewed bloody clash between the warring communities.
There has been a prolonged battle between the two communities over land dispute which had in the past claimed lives and properties.
The crisis took a dangerous dimension on Wednesday when one person was reportedly killed and several others were injured just as many houses and properties worth millions of naira were burnt.
The deputy governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, who was on the spot assessment of the situation in the two communities earlier on Thursday, said government may be forced to review the curfew earlier imposed by the state government from 12hours to 24hrs to forestall escalation of the crisis.
In his remarks at the Ipade Imole programme, Governor Adeleke said: “I want to start with a strong warning to the warring factions in the Ifon-Ilobu communal crisis. I have directed the deployment of a joint peace keeping force to include military personnel. The force has the mandate to deal with those fomenting conflict in both communities.
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