Osun State govermor in Southwest Nigeria has relaxed the 24-hour curfew in Irepodun and Orolu local councils, following a communal crisis that broke out between Erin-Osun and Ilobu town.
The review will now be from 6.00pm to 6.00am daily, and will continue until further notice.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Mr Ismail Omipidan.
It stated that the review became necessary following the peace meeting held between the Governor and monarchs of the affected towns; and another meeting between the monarchs and the Commissioner of Police.
Governor Oyetola thanked the monarchs for their co-operation and for honouring the meetings, even as they agreed to a peace accord and promised calm in the region.
“Following the peace meeting between Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the traditional rulers of of Erin-Osun and Ilobu towns, and with the return of peace to the affected towns, the governor has approved the relaxation of the 24-hour curfew declared last Sunday to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“Consequently, the curfew will now run from 6:00pm to 6:00am daily, and will subsist till further notice. Security operatives will therefore remain in the two local councils to enforce the new curfew directive with a view to further maintaining law and order,” the statement reads.
Resist the temptation
The Governor enjoined residents to always channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities and resist the temptation to take laws into their hands.
The meeting which was held on Monday with the governor included the traditional rulers of the feuding towns: the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuff Omoloye Oyagbodun II; the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan II; and the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Almoroof Adekunle Magbagbeola.
The monarchs consequently pledged to prevail on their subjects to eschew violence and embrace peace, in the interest of all.
Lateefah Ibrahim