Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has directed the immediate establishment of a camp for internally displaced persons from Ifon, Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities following the violent crisis over land dispute.
The governor also said the “24-hour curfew continues amidst further tightening of security surveillance in the towns.”
A statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Wednesday stated that the camps tagged “holden camp”, should be set up in the communities town halls or any place of their choices.
The statement added that the Governor had initially ordered the distribution of food and relief materials for the victims in the affected towns through their palaces, which he affirmed is already ongoing.
According to the statement, now that the distribution of food and relief materials has commenced, I have directed the state emergency agency to proceed to set up camps for displaced people.
“Each town is to have a camp, probably their town halls or any place of their choice. Security agencies are to screen displaced people for transportation to the camps.
“The emergency agency will be providing food materials and accessories for the displaced people while the situation normalizes. The agency has also reached out to NEMA for further support “, the Governor said.
The Governor reiterated his resolve to deal with those fanning the crisis, saying, “all the culprits must be brought to book. There must be accountability. I expect suspects to be charged to court as soon as possible ”.
The 24-hour curfew continues amidst further tightening of security surveillance in the towns.
Meanwhile, Adeleke earlier cautioned against the distortion of historical facts.
Speaking at the Adeleke University, Ede, on Tuesday, during a methodology workshop themed “Cutting Edge Knowledge Production for 21st Historians and Diplomats”, Adeleke emphasised the role of historians in maintaining accuracy.
The workshop, organised by the Historical Society of Nigeria in collaboration with 12 universities from South-West Nigeria, is aimed at improving historical documentation and research methods.
Adeleke, represented by a commissioner in the Osun Teaching Service Commission, Dr. Abioye Oyewusi, attributed communal clashes in Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun to historical misrepresentation.
Adeleke said, “We have had issues of communal clashes in the last couple of days. History lets the fact speak for itself. The best anyone can do is narrate, but a lot of historical facts are being distorted.”
The governor, who insisted that facts should not be altered under any circumstances, urged historians and diplomats to remain objective.
“As historians and future diplomats, I enjoin us, let’s always side with facts. No matter how we are emotionally attached to the subject, we should not allow the facts to be distorted,” he added.
He highlighted the cultural and emotional attachment of Africans to land as a major factor fueling land disputes across communities.
“Part of the problem regarding land issues is that, in our view as Africans, we are culturally and emotionally attached to land. But when culture and emotional attachment to land become weaponised, it becomes a problem,” he said.
To address the crisis, Adeleke revealed that the Osun State Security Trust Fund would be utilised to enhance security measures in affected communities.
