Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Igbajo, in Boluwaduro Local Government Area, following a breakdown of law and order that erupted on Sunday night and spread into the early hours of Monday.
The disturbance is reported to be connected to tensions surrounding the death of Prince Adegboyega Famodun, the former Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman and embattled 30th Owa of Igbajo, who passed away last week after a brief illness.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor ordered an immediate lockdown of the community “pending the return to orderliness and harmonious coexistence in the hitherto peaceful and orderly Igbajo town.”
Adeleke, expressing shock over the outbreak of violence, cautioned that his administration would not tolerate any action capable of disrupting the peace across the state. He described the chaos as unacceptable and vowed that instigators and perpetrators would face the full weight of the law.
“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,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The governor directed the Army, Police, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to enforce the curfew and maintain 24-hour surveillance throughout the area. He further warned both natives and non-natives to remain calm and comply with security directives, stressing that any act—open or covert—that could intensify the crisis would be met with strict legal consequences.
The unrest comes amid longstanding tensions over the Igbajo kingship dispute. Famodun, installed in 2022 during the final days of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administration, was removed by Adeleke via executive order, leading to the appointment of Oba Ademola Makinde. However, in January 2025, the Osun State High Court reinstated Famodun, a judgment currently being contested at the appellate court.
Famodun’s death at 67 has now reignited friction within the community, prompting the state government to act swiftly to forestall further escalation.
