Ifon-Ilobu communal dispute: Adeleke relaxes curfew in warring communities

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has relaxed the 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew imposed on Ilobu and Ifon communities.

The curfew will now take effect from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., starting today, Sunday, March 2, 2025.

It would be recalled that Adeleke had, a few weeks ago, imposed the curfew following incessant communal clashes between the two communities.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the governor expressed satisfaction that peace is gradually returning to the affected areas.

The statement reads:

“His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, has expressed happiness and satisfaction with the gradual return to peace in the embattled communities of Ifon and Ilobu over land disputes.

“Though peace has not been fully restored, the governor is confident that total peace will soon be achieved in the communities.”

“Accordingly, the governor has directed that the initial 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew imposed on the two communities on January 16, 2025, be relaxed from 12 hours to 6 hours daily, beginning from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., with effect from today, Sunday, March 2, 2025, until total peace is restored.”

“Furthermore, the governor has directed all security personnel, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to continue maintaining 24-hour surveillance in the affected communities.”

“All stakeholders in the communities are advised to cooperate with the state government in resolving the dispute amicably.”

“Finally, His Excellency urges all sons and daughters of the two communities, including their traditional rulers and other stakeholders, to use this holy month of Ramadan to pray for lasting peace and harmony.”

“The governor also reiterated his earlier warning that anyone found instigating or engaging in acts that could disrupt the peace will face the full wrath of the law.”