Ifon-Ilobu crisis: Adeleke imposes new curfew in warring communities

…orders 24-hour nonstop security surveillance

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Friday imposed a new curfew in Ifon/Ilobu to prevent mayhem in the two communities.

The governor has, however, summoned the two traditional rulers of the communities, the Olufon of Ifon, HRM Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye, and the Olobu of Ilobu, HRM Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan along with other stakeholders from both communities for an immediate stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday to discuss further resolutions to the conflict.

The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Barrister Kolapo Alimi, who disclosed this in a statement in Osogbo, said, “Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, in a move to curb its further spread, has announced a new curfew time frame from 6 PM to 6 AM daily until lasting peace is restored.”

According to the statement, “His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, has expressed unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the breakout of fresh communal crises in Ilobu and Ifon.”

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“To this end, the Governor has directed that the initial 10 PM to 4 AM curfew now be extended to 6 PM to 6 AM, effective today, Friday, 21st March 2025, until further notice.”

“Mr. Governor has equally directed that the joint security team, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any act of lawlessness.”

“In addition, the Governor has directed that an immediate stakeholders’ meeting, including the Olufon of Ifon, HRM Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye, and the Olobu of Ilobu, HRM Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, along with other stakeholders from both communities, be held tomorrow, Saturday, 22nd March 2025, to discuss further resolutions to the conflict.”

“Finally, His Excellency urges all sons and daughters of the two communities, as well as their traditional rulers, to follow the path of peace and harmonious coexistence. Anyone or any group found aiding and abetting the violence will be dealt with accordingly,” the commissioner stressed.