A new curfew has been placed on the feuding communities of Ilobu and Ifon by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in response to recurrent intercommunal conflicts between the cities.
According to the Ifon Progressive Union, the umbrella organisation for Ifon-Orolu natives, Ilobu-based gunmen broke into the Apiponroro neighbourhood, shooting intermittently and sending locals into a panic.
Additional information was provided by Jide Akinyooye, the secretary of the union’s board of trustees, who stated that the most recent attacks started early on Tuesday.
Gunshots were recorded in Ifon’s Odoje and Golden Gate neighbourhoods, he said, causing residents to flee their houses in terror.
Chief Goke Ogunsola, the Otun Jagun of Ilobu, refuted the claims, claiming that Ifon gunmen were the ones who started the attacks on Ilobu.
“Our people living in Ganga and Apiponroro called to report that gunmen from Ifon laid siege on them. Those attacked had to protect themselves in the best way possible. On Monday, during a meeting, Olufon issued threats to us,” Ogunsola claimed.
He called on the state government to intervene decisively, stating, “We are a peace-loving community. It is Ifon that keeps attacking us.”
The state administration declared a 12-hour curfew that would take effect immediately in a statement released on Thursday by Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment. Until further notice, the curfew will be in effect every day from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
To stop additional bloodshed, the government also sent a number of security forces, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Army, and the Police, to the impacted districts.
The statement said, “Following the outbreak of another communal clash between the people of Ifon and Ilobu, the Osun State Government has taken the following decisions aimed at ensuring lasting peace in the affected communities
“A 7pm to 7am curfew is imposed with immediate effect starting today, Thursday, January 16, 2025, until further notice.
Adeleke urged all sides to assist efforts to end the crisis permanently and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting peace.