...as Police nab 3 arsonists
The World Institute for Peace, WIP, has called on warring factions in the ongoing Ifon- ilobu- communal clash to sheate their swords and embrace peaceful co-existence for the sustainable development of Osun State.
The call was made by the Executive Director of WIP, Mr. Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi in a statement made available to journalists in the wake of the ongoing communal clash in the state.
Making passionate appeal to the people, he charged the youths particularly from the troubled communities to exercise restraint and jointly protect what nature has endowed them with.
He said: “Are you from Ilobu-, Ifon or Erin-Osun…..It is crucial for you indigenous youth of Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin-Osun in Osun State, Nigeria, to unite against any actions that hinder your communities’ development and to become guardians of your heritage.
“I urge you to let love guide your actions. It is truly disheartening that the late Lagbaja, the former Chief of Army Staff, was unable to complete the significant project he initiated for his community due to communal conflicts that obstructed the progress that would have benefited both communities. This is sad. What a shame on the promoters of the crisis. Eyin nu, Olohun nu.
“Dear youth of Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin-Osun, are you not aware that many lands in Lagos actually belong to Ogun State ?
“Are you not conscious that much of Ogun State’s territory now lies within Lagos ?
“Have you noticed that the communities that historically belonged to Ogun State but now have Lagos addresses are often more beautiful and developed than many communities deep within Ogun State ?
Remarkably, the above notion has not caused any discord between Lagos and Ogun State. So, kinni o n se yin, gangan ? (Meaning: What’s really your problem?)
The WIP Director therefore, urged the warring youths to take the future of their communities in their hands and added that “…you have to develop greater passion for human life. Please, let us strive for peace.
Recall that the Ifon and Ilobu communities , which include Orolu and Irepodun local government areas in Osun State engaged in violent clashes in the early hours of Friday. The pandemonium which was caused by land disagreement left in its wake gunshot injuries, even as the crisis later on spread to Erin-Osun.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has arrested three persons in connection with alleged acts of arson and murder perpetrated in the communities in the wake of renewed hostility in the areas.
Spokesperson of the state police command, Akeem Adeoye confirmed the incident and revealed that a dane gun and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects.
“The Osun State Commissioner CP Mohammed Umar Abba, has ordered the deployment of Officers and Men to the warring areas in order to restore peace, law and order in accordance with its primary duty of protecting Lives and Properties.
“The Command in collaboration with personnel of other Sister Security Agencies will do everything humanly possible to prevent further bloodshed and breakdown of law and order through strict enforcement of the 24 hours curfew declared by the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke in the areas affected.
“So far, three (3) suspects have been arrested in breach of the curfew armed with a Dane gun. Thorough investigation will be conducted and suspects would be charged to court for prosecution accordingly.
“The Command is equally monitoring the situation closely with a view to fishing out all the trouble makers and their sponsors to ensure that they face the wrath of the law,” said the police spokesperson.”
Also recall that, to stem the tide of the community crisis, governor Ademola Adeleke imposed a 24 hours curfew on the affected areas and mandated security agencies in the state to bring the perpetrators to book.
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