Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday, ordered the reduction of the previously imposed 17-hour curfew on the conflict-ridden communities of Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin Osun to 12 hours.
This decision comes as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) is set to begin on April 24, and the governor emphasized that education should not be disrupted by the ongoing communal violence.
The affected communities have recently been engulfed in violent clashes that resulted in multiple fatalities and significant property damage.
The governor’s directive to relax the curfew was informed by reports indicating a gradual restoration of peace in these areas.
In a statement, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, explained that the revised curfew, which will now run from 7 pm to 7 am daily, is intended to ensure that students preparing for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) are able to participate without hindrance.
Alimi also mentioned that the decision to ease the curfew followed security reports indicating that a ceasefire was progressively taking hold in the affected communities.
The governor reiterated his commitment to resolving the communal conflict, assuring that his administration would take all necessary steps to restore peace.
Adeleke commended the traditional rulers and residents of the three communities for their efforts in fostering peace and urged them to continue their work towards maintaining stability.
He stressed the importance of ensuring that students are able to sit for their exams without any disruptions, stating, “We cannot allow the future of our children to be compromised.”
Additionally, the governor instructed a joint security team, including the Nigerian Army, Police, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to continue maintaining constant surveillance to prevent any lawlessness.
He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving the crisis, directing the 100-member crisis resolution committee to expedite their efforts in finding a lasting solution.
Adeleke called for cooperation from all stakeholders, urging residents and those in the diaspora to work together to bring an end to the unrest, emphasizing that peace is essential for the development and growth of the affected communities and the state as a whole.