Governor Adeleke Slams 24 Hours Curfew on Warrington Communities

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has imposed a 24-hour curfew on two communities, Ifon and Ilobu, after there were increased tensions and violent clashes between the two.

The clashes were largely propelled by long-standing land disputes which left an ex-councillor dead, houses razed and a number of residents displaced. Most affected were women and children.

In a move to curb the skirmishes, Governor Adeleke ordered the imposition of the immediate curfew from March 21, 2025, to stem the violence and return peace to the affected areas.

The curfew compels citizens to remain indoors for 24 hours, and security has been ordered to enforce it.

Apart from the imposition of curfew, the governor directed all the security agencies–military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Immigration, NDLEA, and Amotekun (the state security agency)–to increase the presence of the agencies in the communities to ensure the complete enforcement of the curfew as well as to stem violence.

Governor Adeleke also sued for dialogue among the stakeholders, including the monarchs of the affected communities, Oba Peter Akinyooye (Olufon of Ifon) and Oba Ashiru Olaniyan (Olobu of Ilobu), to chart ways to de-escalate the conflict and find solutions. The meeting will take place on March 22, 2025.

The governor emphasized that peace and order were the priorities, and appealed to both the communities and their leaders to work towards peaceful coexistence. He also warned that whoever is found inciting more violence will be dealt with harshly.

The state is doing this to prevent further loss of lives and property as it works towards solving the root causes peacefully.