Aregbesola declares curfew in Ife after deadly clash

The Osun State government has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Ile-Ife after clashes in the city claimed lives and led to the destruction of properties, a media to the state governor said on Thursday.

The curfew “has been compelled by the breach of the peace in the area which has led to an avoidable destruction of lives and properties,” said the State’s director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Semiu Okanlawon. A News Agency of Nigeria report claims five persons were killed in the clash.

The curfew, which comes into effect on Wednesday will be from 6 pm to 7 am and in force until Friday.

Okanlawon assured of the readiness of the security forces to quell the faceoff which has led to the destruction of properties in affected area of the ancient city.

“This is to assure all and sundry that the breach of the peace in Ile-Ife is not beyond the control of our highly mobilised security forces.

“To this end, the Governor of the state of Osun, upon receiving reports of the fracas the exact cause of which is still under investigation, has ordered deployment of adequate security forces and is getting minute-by-minute situation reports.

“The Government, therefore, warns those involved in this act of criminal breach of public peace to end it immediately as the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone arrested.”