In what many have described as a historic breakthrough, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, on Monday, September 22, 2025, successfully brokered peace among the long-warring communities of Ifon-Osun, Erin-Osun, and Ilobu.
The event, which coincided with the United Nations International Day of Peace, was held at the Adolak International Event Centre, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, and attracted traditional rulers, government officials, civil society leaders, and security stakeholders. The global theme for this year’s commemoration was: “Act Now for a Peaceful World: The Way Forward for Osun Communal Clashes.”
Monarchs Embrace Peace in Historic Gesture
The highlight of the event was the symbolic moment when the Olufon of Ifon-Osun, Oba Peter Oluwole Akinyooye; the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yussuf Kolawole Omoloye; and the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan stood before the gathering, shook hands, and embraced one another.
The gesture, which drew thunderous applause from the audience, marked the end of years of hostility that had claimed lives, displaced families, and stalled development across the three neighbouring communities.
The royal fathers, in their goodwill messages, pledged to work together for lasting peace, urging government at all levels to extend infrastructural development projects to their towns which had long suffered neglect due to repeated communal clashes.
“Peace is the foundation of growth and prosperity. Our communities deserve to flourish again, and this new bond of unity is a promise to our people that the past will no longer dictate our future,” they declared.
Government’s Assurances
The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, commended the courage and sincerity of the monarchs, pledging the state government’s continued support in sustaining peace. “Peace is not just the absence of conflict but the platform upon which meaningful development can thrive. My administration is committed to ensuring that the peace you have embraced today will be nurtured with adequate support and tangible projects,” Governor Adeleke affirmed.
He further applauded the NSCDC, under the leadership of Commandant Igbalawole Emmanuel Sotiyo, for its proactive peace initiatives across the state.
NSCDC’s Leadership and Mediation Efforts
In his address, Commandant Sotiyo described peace as the foundation of life, progress, and prosperity. He stressed that security agencies cannot achieve peace in isolation but must work hand-in-hand with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and citizens.
“To tackle recurring communal clashes, we must think beyond reaction. This is why I strongly advocate for the establishment of Community Mediation Centres in every Local Government across Osun State,” he declared.
Commandant Sotiyo also revealed that the NSCDC had secured approval for an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre, with the foundation stone laid the same day at Woru, along Osogbo-Okinni-Ogbomoso Road.
“These centres will serve as proactive mechanisms to resolve disputes early before they escalate into violence. With the NSCDC leading this effort, in partnership with community stakeholders, peace-building will be brought closer to the people,” he assured.
The Voice of Civil Society
Delivering the keynote paper titled “Act Now for a Peaceful World: The Way Forward for Osun State Communal Clashes”, Comrade Waheed Lawal, Chairman of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition and Co-Chairman of the Ifon/Erin/Ilobu Crises Resolution Committee, described peace as a “constant work in progress.”
He emphasized the role of mediation and dialogue in resolving disputes, noting that curfews and enforcement actions only provide temporary relief.
“Imagine if mediation had been adopted early in the Ifon–Ilobu–Erin conflict: instead of weapons, voices would have been raised in dialogue; instead of tales of bloodshed, we would be passing down stories of reconciliation,” Lawal reflected.
He called for the revival of Mediation Centres in all Local Governments, stressing that such institutions should handle 60–70% of rural disputes, thereby preventing violent escalation and reducing the burden on courts.
A Call to Action
The event concluded with a strong collective message: peace must be institutionalized, not improvised. Commandant Sotiyo captured this in his closing remarks: “Peace is not something given—it is something we build together. Every act of dialogue, fairness, and cooperation sows the seed of stability for generations to come. A peaceful and secure Nigeria is not just a dream—it is within our reach.”
However, the Ifon-Ilobu-Erin conflict has long been a scar on Osun State’s social fabric. With the monarchs now embracing peace, supported by government, civil society, and security agencies, stakeholders believe the foundation has been laid for lasting reconciliation and sustainable development.
As Osun State joins the world in marking the International Day of Peace, the historic accord brokered by the NSCDC stands as a hopeful model for conflict resolution not only in Osun but across Nigeria.