Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has imposed a 24-hour curfew in two local government areas following violent clashes between the Ifon and Ilobu communities.
The conflict, reportedly stemming from a land dispute, has escalated into widespread violence, resulting in multiple fatalities and significant property destruction.
On Friday, at least three people, including a former councillor, lost their lives, while 30 others sustained gunshot wounds. The unrest has also forced many women and children to flee their homes.
In an effort to contain the situation, Governor Adeleke initially announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew and convened a peace meeting with traditional rulers of the affected communities on Saturday.
However, as violence continued, including the burning of hundreds of houses, the curfew was extended to Erin-Osun town and upgraded to a full 24-hour restriction.
Confirming the directive, Osun’s Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, stated that all security agencies—including the Military, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Immigration, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Amotekun—have been mobilized to enforce the curfew strictly.
“The curfew is necessary to prevent further escalation and to restore peace and order,” Alimi emphasized, adding that it will remain in place until normalcy is fully restored.
Authorities have urged residents to comply with the restrictions while efforts to mediate and resolve the crisis continue.