The 24-hour curfew formerly imposed on the two warring settlements of Ifon and Ilobu has been relaxed to 12 hours, per the instructions of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Following the recent communal fighting, the state authorities apparently noticed a situation of almost complete calm and harmony between the two communities, prompting the directive.
The governor’s most recent order was based on the peace pact signed on Saturday by the communities in the Orolu and Irepodun local government areas, according to a statement made on Tuesday and signed by the commissioner for information and public awareness, Kolapo Alimi.
The pact urged both groups to put their differences behind them and embrace a robust peace.
The governor, however, “maintains and re-emphasizes his earlier directive of taking complete possession by his administration of the disputed lands until the imbroglio is finally seen to have been amicably brought to a close by the natives,” according to the statement.
“Accordingly, the hitherto 24-hour curfew, from dusk to dawn, has now been directed by the governor to be between 6 am and 6 pm daily.
“Based on the recent peace agreement signed by Ifon and Ilobu communities of Orolu and Irepodun local governments, respectively, the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke is happy to state that the two communities are gradually embracing the need to engender peace and harmony.
“Premised on this, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, has relaxed the 24-hour curfew to 12 hours daily, beginning from 6 am to 6 pm with immediate alacrity.
Gov Adeleke also enjoined the joint security task force, comprising the Nigeria Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agents, to continue their normal 24-hour surveillance of Ifon, Ilobu, and Olokanla communities.
The governor further warned: “Anyone or group of persons found or caught doing or instigating any act, knowingly or unknowingly, to mortgage the lasting peace being currently envisioned in the warring communities would be made to face the music, via necessary prosecution, in line with the dictate of the law of Nigeria.”