Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has re-imposed a 12-hour curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities due to the resurgence of violent clashes between the two towns.
A statement released on Friday by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed that the curfew will be in effect from 6 pm to 6 am daily until further notice.
The statement further revealed that Adeleke has directed an immediate meeting to be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, which will include the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Peter Akinyooye, the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, and other stakeholders from both communities to discuss ways to resolve the ongoing conflict.
Alimi added, “The governor has extended the previous 10 pm to 4 am curfew to 6 pm to 6 am, starting today, Friday, March 21, 2025, until further notice. He has also instructed the joint security team, consisting of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to maintain continuous surveillance and ensure zero tolerance for lawlessness.”
The Governor also urged the indigenes and traditional rulers of both communities to pursue peace and coexistence. He warned that anyone found inciting or participating in the violence would face legal consequences.
The government had previously relaxed the curfew after a period of calm, but hostilities flared up again on Friday, resulting in the death of a former councilor from Ifon, identified as Azeez, who was reportedly shot. It remains unclear how he died, but a local resident confirmed that he was pronounced dead at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, early on Friday.
Additionally, several houses were reportedly set on fire during the clashes. Yusuf Adekunle, media aide to the Olufon of Ifon, accused the Ilobu community of sponsoring the attack, while the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, Adegoke Ogunsola, dismissed the claim, stating that the people of Ifon had initiated the attacks, leaving several people injured.