Communal clashes between the Ifon and Ilobu communities in Nigeria’s Osun State have escalated, spreading to the Erin Osun community, prompting the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, to impose a 24-hour curfew.
The governor had initially implemented a 12-hour curfew following the outbreak of violence, which has displaced numerous residents.
Reports indicate displaced people were seen in the streets of Okinni on Saturday, with some, particularly those from northern Nigeria, leaving the area by bus.
A statement issued by Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, outlined measures to prevent further escalation. These include the 24-hour curfew, the deployment of a joint security task force, and attempts to broker a peace deal between the warring communities.
“We assure the people of Ilobu and Ifon that I am committed to securing their lives and properties,” Governor Adeleke stated. “I have updated the state’s presidency of development. We are on top of the situation.”
The state government also issued a warning about the spread of misinformation, accusing “opposition elements” of circulating old videos of communal conflicts in Osun State to create a false impression of insecurity.
“While the ongoing conflict is regrettable and while all hands are on deck to stop the violence, we inform the public to take note of the activities of fake news merchants who are digging up old videos to discredit the state government,” the statement said. “The videos being circulated of violence in other towns and villages in Osun are fake news and should be disregarded by the members of the public.”
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