Following the on- going communal clashes between Ifon and Ilobu communities, leading to loss of lives and properties, Osun state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew with immediate effect in the two communities.
The government has also drafted a joint task force of security operatives to the communities even as the hostilities between the communities have claimed unspecified numbers of people with no fewer than four policemen sustaining gunshot injuries and properties worth millions including police patrol van razed.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Hon Kolapo Alimi on behalf of Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke yesterday reads as follows:
“Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed that a 24-hour Curfew begins in Orolu and Irepodun local governments housing Ifon and Ilobu communities with immediate effect
“To maintain a 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.
“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.’’
He maintained that 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” the statement added.
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