The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered that the three warring communities of Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin Osun be released from their prior 17-hour curfew, which will now be eased to 12 hours.
Recent violent fights between the communities have resulted in numerous fatalities and the destruction of numerous buildings by thugs.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo, the state capital, on Tuesday, said the decision to relax the restriction was premised on the gradual return of peace in the affected communities.
Additionally, he stated that students taking the JAMB and Senior Secondary School Certificate exams would be allowed to do so without any obstacles thanks to the curfew’s adjustment.
“The relaxation of the curfew is a sequel to the different security reports reaching the governor that the much-expected ceasefire is taking the centre stage on a daily basis.
“Accordingly, the governor has directed that the curfew should, beginning from today, Tuesday (08/4/2025), commence from 7 pm to 7 am on a daily basis until further notice,” Alimi said.
Adeleke added in his statement that he will do everything in his power, both legally and morally, to resolve the conflicts between the three groups in a peaceful manner.
He urged them to maintain the advances already made and praised the traditional leaders of the three villages and their subjects for meeting expectations and enabling a gradual return to peace.
Adeleke further said, “In the same vein, the new trend in the time frame of the curfew will also allow our children who want to write WAEC, NECO and JAMB Examinations to be able to do so without any form of hindrance, as we cannot allow their future to be mortgaged.
“However, I am still directing that the joint security team comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps should continue to maintain their usual 24-hour surveillance to ensure zero tolerance for any act of lawlessness.
“This is not without reiterating the need for all stakeholders to cooperate by embracing the much sought peace in the three communities as anybody/group/ community caught or found wanting in fomenting or aiding the crisis in one way or the other will be made to face the music in line with the dictates of the law of Nigeria.”
He subsequently directed the 100-member crisis resolution committee on Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun communal mayhem set up by this administration in the wake of the crisis a few months ago to expedite their assignments so as to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Emphasising that his administration and the entire people of Osun state would not settle for less from the committee in giving a leeway towards ensuring a lasting resolution to the age long communal disputes, Adeleke urged, “All sons and daughters of the three communities at home and in diaspora to cooperate with me and my administration to bring this crisis to an end once and for all.
“It is only in an atmosphere of peace and unity that the much sought growth and development can be achieved in the three communities of Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun as well as the entire state.”
