Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Monday, threatened to dethrone any of the traditional rulers of Ifon, Erin Osun, and Ilobu communities if violence reoccurs in their respective domains.
The governor said this in a statement in Osogbo, the state capital, against the backdrop of online reports that some faceless groups across the conflict areas are planning another round of attacks.
He said, “Any attempt to exploit the adjustment of the curfew for renewed violence will be met with the full re-imposition of the 24-hour curfew.
“Enough is enough. Royal fathers of each town must call their subjects to order. I will wield the big stick.”
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According to him, the decision to relax the curfew in the affected communities was out of compassion, as many innocent people were suffering as a result of the violence in those communities, threatening that any attempt to exploit the opportunity would have consequences.
“The curfew we relaxed was on humanitarian grounds. As a compassionate government, we know many innocent people are suffering because of the evil agenda of a few elements across the conflict areas. Any attempt to exploit the adjustment of the curfew for renewed violence will be met with the full re-imposition of the 24-hour curfew,” Governor Adeleke added.
Adeleke, in the statement made available by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, warned of stern state action against the traditional rulers of Ifon, Erin Osun, and Ilobu communities if they fail to sustain the current peace and de-escalation of the crisis in their communities.
“In the midst of Sallah celebrations, I received reports of some people planning another round of conflict around Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun towns. The security agencies have tightened surveillance to ensure no attacks take place.
“The security agencies are also speeding up the interrogation of key chieftains and actors in the conflict. I will remind top leaders of the towns that the peace undertakings they are signing are not a joke. They will be held accountable. There will be accountability before the law.”
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