Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state has declared a 24-hour curfew in Irepodun and Orolu Local Government Areas of the state, a day after a communal clash broke out between Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities.
Security in the affected council areas was thereafter beefed up, with the immediate deployment of armed policemen and support from the army to restore law and order.
It was gathered that no fewer than two persons have been reported dead during the clash that ensued on Saturday between the two communities, while about four houses were said to have been destroyed, and six persons sustained gunshot injuries.
Sources attributed the cause of the clash to the recent demarcation being done by the National Population Commission last Tuesday, which they claimed fuelled the long-term land dispute between the two communities.
Governor Oyetola, in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government on Sunday, Mr. Wole Oyebamiji, explained that the declaration of curfew became necessary to douse tension in the troubled area.
The curfew, according to the statement would subsist until further notice.
The statement read, “As a responsible and responsive government that took the sacred oath to protect the lives and property of our citizens, we believe that the declaration of curfew is the way to go in this circumstance.
“By this, security operatives have been directed to arrest and prosecute any person found violating the curfew and those responsible for the violence.
“All citizens and residents of the affected Local Government Areas are enjoined to comply with this directive as any person found contravening this order shall be made to face the wrath of the law.
“Government enjoins all our citizens to be peaceful and to be law abiding as all efforts shall be made to protect them and their property,” it assured.
