The people of Oba Ile and a neighbouring community of Oba Oke in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State have said they would refrain from violence provided there is no provocation from their opponents.
The monarchs of the two communities; Oloba of Oba Ile, Oba Olayinka Adeeyo and the Oloba of Oba Oke, Oba Dahunsi Iyiola, which have been engulfed with incessant crises since October were at the peace meeting where their subjects gave this condition in Osogbo on Tuesday.
The peace meeting was called by Governor Rauf Aregbesola to restore permanent peace to the troubled communities.
Alhaji Tijjani Oladosu, who spoke for Oba Ile at the peace talks blamed the latest violence in the area on alleged provocation from the side of Oba Oke.
Oladosu alleged that the people of Oba Oke stoned the Oloba of Oba Ile on the day of the town’s traditional festival.
He stated that the people of Oba Ile only defended themselves and warned that his people would not fold their hands and watch the opponent attack them.
He, however, pledged to ensure that the people of Oba Ile will not carry out any attack provided their neighbours refrain from attacking them.
Speaking on behalf of Oba Oke community, Alhaji Kola Abiona traced the root of the crisis to prolonged land dispute between the communities coupled with intermittent provocation from the Oba Ile people, who, he described as tenants in their present location.
He accused Oba Ile people of hiring mercenaries to wipe out the Oba Oke people.
But he said, “We will always defend ourselves against any aggression, except their assailant stops the act of provocation.”
Aregbesola, while addressing the gathering, declared that the government fact-finding committee would visit the communities and do a house-to-house search to mop up weapons and mercenaries allegedly imported into the communities.
The governor said, “We will disinfect the entire communities of mercenaries, such that nobody will be able to intimidate anyone again. I advise both sides to disperse these mercenaries because if we catch them, the mercenaries and their sponsors will be charged for murder.
“I abhor the crisis in the communities and it will be our joy to witness the return of peace in the interest of development.”
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, said the two monarchs were disposed to peaceful resolution of the crisis, but added that they had lost the control of the youths who she said were aggressive.
The two monarchs and other representatives from the two warring communities signed an undertaking to maintain peace, while the committee work to unravel the causes of the perennial crisis.
Copyright PUNCH.
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