Violence between the Ifon and Ilobu communities escalated on Saturday, spilling over into the Erin Osun area and intensifying the already volatile situation.
In response to the growing unrest, Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke, imposed a 24-hour curfew across the affected regions to restore order.
The conflict, which initially saw a 12-hour curfew enforced by Adeleke, has displaced many residents from Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun.
Displaced individuals were seen on the streets of Okinni on Saturday, with many, particularly northerners, leaving the area by bus.
The clashes have been fueled by a long-standing land dispute between the communities, leading to violent confrontations that resulted in multiple fatalities and the destruction of property.
On Friday, three people, including a former councilor, were reportedly killed, and 30 others, including women and children, were injured.
As the violence intensified, with hundreds of homes set ablaze, Governor Adeleke moved to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew and convened an emergency meeting with the traditional rulers of the warring communities on Saturday in an effort to de-escalate the crisis.
The 24-hour daily curfew was disclosed via a statement the governor shared via his X handle on Saturday, March 22.
The statement partly reads: “I have received with great sadness disturbing footage and security reports of resurgence of the age long communal clashes between Ifon, Ilobu, and now Erin Osun communities within the past 24 hours.
“Following extensive consultations with heads of security agencies working tirelessly to prevent further escalation, I hereby declare an immediate 24-hour curfew in the affected communities of Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun effective immediately and until further notice.
“To enforce this directive and maintain law and order, I have ordered a joint security operation comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), NDLEA, AMOTEKUN, and other relevant agencies to conduct 24-hour surveillance and ensure strict compliance.
“I deeply sympathise with those who have suffered loss of life and property due to this crisis. Rest assured, perpetrators will face the full weight of the law.
“Additionally, I have summoned an urgent stakeholders’ meeting with: the Olufon of Ifon, HRM Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye, the Olobu of Ilobu, HRM Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, the Elerin of Erin Osun, Oba Yusuf Omoloye Oyagbodun (II), other key stakeholders.
“This meeting will focus on finding a lasting resolution to this conflict.
“I urge all sons and daughters of these communities, alongside their traditional rulers, to embrace peace and coexist harmoniously. Any individual or group found inciting violence or aiding this unrest will be dealt with accordingly.
“It is important that we all work together to restore peace and prevent further destruction.”
Source: X | AAdeleke_01