This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who stated that the curfew was imposed to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the communities.
Governor Ademola Adeleke on Friday imposed a 24-hour curfew, effective immediately on Ilobu and Ifon communities in the Orolu and Irepodun local government areas of Osun State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who stated that the curfew was imposed to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the communities.
SaharaReporters on Thursday reported that a Divisional Police Officer and three other police officers were reportedly killed during the communal clash and that a police patrol vehicle and houses located in the warring communities were also burnt by arsonists.
The deceased policemen were reportedly ambushed by some hoodlums who alleged that the officers were supporting one of the communities against the other.
On Friday, the information commissioner said Governor Adeleke imposed the curfew to ensure peace and prevent further loss of lives and property.
The statement said, “To maintain lasting peace and order pending when the issues at hand would be amicably resolved, Governor Ademola Adeleke in his executive capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the State, has ordered the immediate takeover of the disputed lands/areas by his administration.
“In the same vein, the government has ordered that anyone or group of persons found or seen doing one thing or the other on the disputed lands/areas would be made to face the full wrath of the law, accordingly, by the Osun State government.
“Therefore, in strict compliance with the 24-hour curfew now imposed, the Adeleke administration has also ordered strict restriction of both human and vehicular movements in the affected areas and communities, until otherwise directed by His Excellency, the State Governor and the Chief Security Officer of Osun state.
“Accordingly, officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising, the Nigerian Army, Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps have been directed by His Excellency, to be on a 24-hour surveillance of the two communities with a view to ensuring a lasting peace.”