Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has ordered the seizure of the disputed land between Ilobu and Ifon communities, both in the state’s Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Mr Adeleke, who gave the order in an interview with journalists on the sideline of the “Ipade Imole” programme in Osogbo on Thursday, said the seizure was to ensure peaceful negotiation.
The governor said he had obtained the assurances of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, to ensure that all the agents of violence were brought to book and peace returned to the warring communities.
”The joint task force will descend heavily on any agent of violence, and I will not allow anyone to kill my people,” the governor said. ”Also, anyone found on that disputed land will be dealt with.”
Mr Adeleke, who said security is vital to development and growth, also said violence would scare potential investors away.
He called on traditional rulers and community leaders to call their subjects to order.
“The deployment of military personnel will be a punitive measure to any of the two communities who failed to allow for peaceful resolution of the problem,” he said.
The governor admonished the warring communities to allow peace to reign for the development and growth of the state.
The state government had on September 17 imposed an indefinite dusk-to-dawn curfew on the two communities.
The measure came after a communal clash between the two communities, resulting in a total breakdown of law and order.
