Posted by FamiliesAdegboyega Oyetola, the state’s former governor, has called on all parties in the disputed districts of Ifon-Osun and Ilobu in Orolu and Irepodun local government areas to put down their weapons and let peace prevail.
This is because, as Oyetola pointed out, it is now absolutely necessary for the two communities to halt the preventable crisis that has led to the wanton destruction of property, killings, and maimings of one another.
Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and sympathy to those who had goods destroyed or stolen in a statement released by his spokesman Ismail Omipidan on Friday.
He claims that in the past, crises were resolved with the help of traditional authorities. I don’t understand why the level of violence has escalated to where it is now.
Peace is essential to human survival. In any situation, it’s preferable to sit down at a table and talk things out rather than resort to physical force. God’s plan in placing Ifon and Ilobu next to each other is mysterious.
The warring groups must put an end to their hostilities for good, put aside their differences, and learn to coexist as brothers and sisters, all while making the most of the opportunities presented by their differences and working together, regardless of nationality or geography.
Nothing positive can come from communal clash, and as such, every being must do everything within their power to prevent conflict of any kind. The news of fighting between two of our most prominent towns in the state (Ilobu and Ifon-Osun) was shocking and upsetting.
“While I recognize whatever the reason that might have led to the unnecessary crisis that left many dead, I want to passionately underline that no matter the topic at stake, it is not worth the life of any Osun citizen. That’s why I’m pleading with my people to put down their weapons and let peace prevail at once.
Considering the number of people killed during the course of the crisis’s last days, it’s clear that pursuing communication and negotiation instead would have yielded better results if the two communities had committed to doing so.
Oyetola urged the two communities’ traditional elders to settle their dispute via talks instead of violence so that calm could be restored to the region.
tensions flared up again between residents of Ifon-Osun, which is part of Orolu local government, and those of Ilobu, which is part of Irepodun local government, over a piece of land.
Ademola Adeleke, governor of the state, made the announcement in a public meeting on Thursday.
While urging traditional leaders and other stakeholders to ease tensions, Adeleke also said he had ordered security forces to take serious action against anyone who tried to prolong the issue.
As a precaution against the breakdown of law and order and the prevention of further loss of life and property, the state administration issued a 24-hour curfew in the Orolu and Irepodun local government areas on Friday.