…As Communal Clash Claims 2
The Osun State government has declared a 24-hour curfew in Irepodun and Orolu local government areas of the state, following the violence that broke out between Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities over the weekend.
At least, two people were reported dead in the fiasco that ensured during the community clash on Saturday between the two communities.
CompassNG gathered that one man was shot dead on Sunday morning; while another was said to have died of gunshot wound around 11am same day.
No fewer than four houses were said to have been destroyed, while six persons were also reported to have sustained gunshot injuries in the communal clash.
According to eye witnesses, the crisis started around 3pm on Saturday at Oke Awesi, one of the disputed areas.
Land demarcation being done by the National Population Commission, NPC, last Tuesday, was fingered as the trigger that precipitated the long-term land dispute between the two communities.
Meanwhile, men of the Nigerian Army have been deployed to the two communities to restore peace.
A resident of Ifon community, in the local government area, Waheed Alao, urged the government to act fast in order to stop the loss of lives and find a lasting solution to the communal crisis.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Wole Oyebamiji, on Sunday, said that the declaration of curfew became necessary to douse tension in the troubled area.
The statement further clarified that curfew would subsist until further notice
Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola had ordered the immediate deployment of armed policemen with support from the Army to restore law and order.
The statement reads in part, “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 law abiding as all efforts shall be made to protect them and their property.”
