Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Ilobu and Ifon communities to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
This was made known by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who said the governor imposed the curfew to prevent the escalation of the ongoing crisis and prevent further loss of lives and property.
The crisis, which erupted due to an ongoing land dispute claimed about eight lives on Thursday.
Adeleke also ordered both parties to stay away from the disputed lands/areas or face the wrath of the law.
“In the same vein, the government has ordered that anyone or group of persons found or seen doing one thing or the other on the disputed lands/ areas would be made to face the full wrath of the law, accordingly, by Osun State government.
Meanwhile, eight of the 24 persons involved in a boat accident that happened on Monday in Kasabu community of Agwara Local Council of Niger State have been rescued.
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The boat was conveying the passengers to the Yauri fish market in Kebbi State when the mishap occurred.
A statement issued by the Director of Media and Strategy, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Habibu Wushishi, said they were rescued through the combined efforts of divers and owners of the boat.
The ministry stated that the rescued are receiving treatment before reuniting with their family members.
According to the statement, “While the search and rescue mission had ended, the Ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders is working assiduously to find out the remote and immediate cause of the mishap to avert the recurrence of the unfortunate incident.”
Earlier, the state’s Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ahmed Baba Suleiman Yumu, and the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Mairo Mohammed Mann, had condoled the bereaved families, while assuring that the ministry will intensify an awareness campaign in riverine communities to forestall future occurrence.
Yumu commended the effort of local divers, boat owners, staff of the ministry, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Agwara Local Government Desk officers and Kebbi State government for the job well done.