Osun govt imposes curfew on two LGAs over communal clash

The Osun State government on Sunday declared a 24-hour curfew in Irepodun and Orolu local government areas of the state over violence.

Violence broke out between Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities in the affected local government areas on Saturday.

The Secretary to the State Government, Wole Oyebamiji, who announced this in a statement in Osogbo, said the declaration of curfew was necessitated by the need to douse tension in the troubled areas.

Oyebamiji said the curfew would subsist until further notice.

He said: “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 LGAs 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.”

READ ALSO: Osun gov, Oyetola, reimposes curfew 24-hrs after suspension

Meanwhile, Governor Gboyega Oyetola had also ordered the immediate deployment of armed policemen with support from the Nigerian Army to restore law and order in the areas.

He also urged the warring communities to sheath their sword and give peace a chance.

The governor said: “As a government, we are resolved to do everything possible to protect citizens from actual and potential threats.

“To this end, we have ordered the immediate deployment of security operatives to restore law and order.

“I want to appeal to our people not to destroy our collective heritage by taking laws into their hands.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right. I, therefore, appeal to the warring parties to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now