In a decisive response to escalating unrest, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbajo, located in the Boluwaduro Local Government Area, on Monday. The measure comes after a breakdown of law and order in the community, which began on Sunday night and persisted into the early hours of Monday.
According to a statement released by Kolapo Alimi, the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, the unrest stemmed from tensions surrounding the recent death of Prince Adegboyega Famodun, who passed away last week following a brief illness.
Okay News reports that the governor expressed deep concern over the violence, emphasizing that his administration “will always not be a party to any untoward civil disobedience capable of truncating the existing peace and harmony being currently experienced throughout Osun State, Igbajo inclusive.” He further warned that individuals found instigating or participating in acts that exacerbate the crisis would face the full force of the law.
“It is with deep shock and dismay that I received the sad news of the breakdown of law and order in Igbajo last night till the early hours of today. As a government that believes in total compliance with the rule of engagement in ensuring peace and order at all times, my administration will not fold its arms to allow the breach of law and order anywhere in the state. Therefore, as the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I hereby declare with immediate effect a total lockdown of the town pending the return to orderliness and harmonious coexistence in the hitherto peaceful and orderly Igbajo town,” Governor Adeleke stated.
The governor also directed the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to commence 24-hour surveillance of the town. The statement added that residents, both native and non-native, must adhere strictly to peace, as any act capable of plunging the town into further chaos would be met with stringent legal consequences.
The unrest follows the death of Adegboyega Famodun, a former Osun State All Progressives Congress chairman and the embattled 30th Owa of Igbajo, who died at the age of 67. Famodun was installed as monarch in 2022 toward the end of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration, later removed by an executive order from Governor Adeleke, who appointed Oba Ademola Makinde in his place. However, in January 2025, the Osun State High Court reinstated Oba Famodun, a decision currently under appeal.
