In response to the communal clashes between the Ifon and Ilobu communities, which intensified on Saturday, spreading to the Erin Osun community, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the affected areas to curb further violence.

The governor had initially enforced a 12-hour curfew following the outbreak of violence, which has displaced many residents of Ifon, Ilobu, and Erin Osun.

On Saturday, some displaced persons, including northern migrants, were seen leaving the area in buses, particularly around Okinni.

In a statement, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, outlined measures being taken to restore order.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke has stepped up conflict de-escalation efforts, imposing a 24-hour curfew, mobilizing a joint security task force, and facilitating a peace agreement between the warring communities,” the statement read.

The Governor assured residents of his commitment to safeguarding lives and property, stating that he had updated the federal government on the situation.

The state government also cautioned against the spread of misinformation, alleging that opposition elements were circulating old videos of past communal conflicts to misrepresent the current security situation.

Security forces have been deployed to enforce the curfew and restore calm in the affected communities.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has formally apologised to the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Nyako and Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN over his misconduct at the last proceedings of his trial on the terrorism charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.

The IPOB leader pleaded for forgiveness and promised to be of good conduct throughout the duration of his trial.

Kanu’s apology was contained in a lengthy prepared speech delivered by his lead counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Kanu Agabi, SSN.

In the emotion-laden speech, Kanu specifically begged Justice Nyako and Awomolo to forgive and forget his outburst and attacks against them in the open court.

Agabi said that Kanu had cause to be angry but ought not to have spoken when anger overwhelmed him.

“In expressing his anger, he attacked the federal high court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor and his own lawyers.

“I hereby apologize to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologize to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN. He deserves the highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.

“I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is a good man but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but defending the cause of Igbo people who are resilient, fearless and using their God given talents to give good account of themselves.

“We may have misgivings but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence to resolve our differences”, he pleaded.

In a brief remark, Awomolo SAN said he was moved by the plea and has forgiven Kanu for all he said against him.

The House of Representatives has voted in support of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

In a move that has split Nigerians and has continued to attract severe criticism,  President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months following the political crisis that had rocked the state.

But two days after Tinubu’s declaration, the House of Representatives in a voice vote backed the President, giving a seal of approval to his decision. Their support came following a letter from the president.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, 240 lawmakers attended the session on Thursday in Abuja.