The state government said the violence, which started on Sunday night and persisted into the early hours of Monday, was linked to tensions emerging from the death of Prince Adegboyega Famodun, who passed away last week following a brief illness.
Kolapo Alimi, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, signed a statement from the governor directing an immediate lockdown of the town until everything returns to normal.
The violence was denounced by Adeleke, who declared that his government “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 cautioned that anyone detected instigating or participating in conduct capable of aggravating the crisis would be compelled to face the law.
“I received the tragic news of the breakdown of law and order in Igbajo last night until the early hours of today with profound shock and dismay.
“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, in my capacity as Osun State’s Chief Security Officer, I hereby declare with immediate effect a total lockdown of the town until the previously peaceful and orderly Igbajo town returns to orderliness and harmonious coexistence,” he said.
The governor ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Army, the Police, and the Department of State Services to start monitoring the neighborhood around-the-clock.
According to the statement, “Adeleke, in accordance with the new directive on the 24-hour curfew, issued a stern warning to all the natives and non-natives of the hitherto peaceful Igbajo community, to continue to toe the path of peace and order as anyone found or caught in any act, openly or covertly, that has the tendency to further plunge the town into chaos would be dealt with in line with the dictates of the law.”
Famodun, a former Osun All Progressives Congress chairman and troubled 30th Owa of Igbajo, passed away on Friday at the age of 67, sparking the disturbance.
Recall that Famodun was installed as monarch in 2022 at the twilight of the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola.
He was then ousted through an executive order issued by Adeleke, who nominated Oba Ademola Makinde in his place.
But Oba Famodun was reinstated by the Osun State High Court in January 2025; this ruling is presently being appealed.
