VAM News Update

THE Osun state government on Saturday, said it has signed a peace agreement with leaders of Ifon and Ilobu communities to sheath their swords from the ongoing communal crisis between the two towns.

The state Commissioner For Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi in a statement made available to Osun Defender, however, noted that the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government still subsist.

Voice Air Media reports that the two communities have been engaging in communal clashes over a land dispute with over 8 people killed and millions of property destroyed in the process.

The statement reads in parts, “That Ifon and Ilobu Communities of Orolu and Irepodun local governments respectively have agreed to sheath their swords with immediate effect following a signed Peace Agreement to stop the communal clashes.

“That notwithstanding this cheering development, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun state in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state directs that the 24-hour Curfew earlier imposed in Orolu and Irepodun local governments housing Ifon and Ilobu communities be continued until further notice.

“That the Peace pact agreement was arrived at during a stakeholder meeting held Friday night, between Osun state government and the leaders of the two warring communities.

“That Osun state government delegation to the peace agreement was led by the state Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi alongside the Secretary to the State government, Hon.Teslim Igbalaye, and other top government officials.

“That Otun Olobu, Chief Jimoh Waliyu, the Esa of Ifon, Chief Babatunde Oyetunji and the representative of the third community of Olokanla, Mr Bashiru Azeez, with two other representatives from each of the community, signed the peace agreement on behalf of their communities.

“That Governor Ademola Adeleke commended the resolve by the warring communities in putting pen on paper to say No To War and Yes To Peace in Ifon, Ilobu and Olokanla communities.

“That with the peace agreement reached, the 24-hour curfew should continue till a total restoration of peace, law and order in the communities, must have been seen to have returned totally.

“That anyone or group of persons found or caught doing or saying anything contrary to the peace agreement would be prosecuted in line with the dictate of the law accordingly.

“That strict restriction of both human and vehicular movements in the affected areas and communities subsists until otherwise directed by His Excellency, the state Governor and the Chief Security Officer of Osun state.

“That officers of the Joint Security Task Force comprising the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other security agents, as directed by His Excellency, are to remain on 24-hour surveillance of the two communities to ensure a lasting peace.

“That as a government, the present administration will not stop at doing anything as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to protect the lives and properties of the people of Orolu and Irepodun local governments and by extension, Osun state in general.

“That Osun state government appreciates the leadership of Ifon and Ilobu communities as well as Olokanla for the signing of the peace agreement.

“That, Osun state government, for the umpteenth time commiserates with the families of victims of the communal clashes, who lost their lives in the wake of the recent crisis.”