Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, announced a reduction in the curfew imposed on the conflict-affected communities of Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin Osun, decreasing it from 17 hours to 12 hours.
This decision was made in light of the upcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), which starts on April 24, with the governor emphasizing the importance of ensuring that students are not hindered by the ongoing communal unrest.
The communities have recently faced violent clashes, resulting in numerous deaths and extensive damage to properties.
The governor’s decision to ease the curfew came after reports indicated a gradual return of peace to the areas.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Kolapo Alimi, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, explained that the curfew will now run from 7 pm to 7 am daily, allowing students preparing for their exams, including WASSCE and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), to do so without obstacles.
Alimi noted that this change followed security reports that showed the situation in the affected communities was stabilizing.
Governor Adeleke reiterated his administration’s determination to resolve the conflict and emphasized that education should not be compromised by the ongoing violence.
The governor expressed appreciation for the efforts of the traditional rulers and the people of the three communities in promoting peace and urged them to continue their work toward maintaining tranquility.
He also reiterated his commitment to safeguarding the future of students, stating, “We cannot afford to jeopardize our children’s future.”
Additionally, Governor Adeleke directed the joint security team, comprising the Nigerian Army, Police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to continue their 24-hour monitoring to ensure peace is upheld.
In a further effort to bring about a lasting resolution to the crisis, the governor called on the 100-member crisis resolution committee to accelerate their work.
He urged all residents, both at home and in the diaspora, to support his administration’s efforts to put an end to the unrest, stating that only in a peaceful environment can the communities and the entire state thrive.