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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gothan, has waded into the protracted land dispute between Iwaro and Asipa communities in Ife North Local Government Area of the state.
Gothan visited the communities on Friday with his outreach on “Peace is volume; without peace we will not have any development,” during which he urged them to embrace peace.
Speaking with the traditional rulers in the communities, Gothan sought their support to ensure amicable settlement of the dispute.
Oba Dr. Emmanuel Ayoola, of Iwaro land, accused Asipa of posing a security threat, noting that the conflict has persisted for a long time.
He recalled that the crisis began in 2016/2017 over a controversial white paper which has been challenged in court, noting that “The other community came here, started riots, destroyed the palace, burnt down places, used cutlasses on my people, destroyed farms and stole belongings.”
The monarch lamented the killing of one of his subjects just nine days before his coronation, saying “They told me to my face they would assassinate me. We want justice for the two men that were killed on our land. We will not be happy if they bury this issue under the carpet,” Oba Ayoola said.
On his part, the Alasipa of Asipa, Oba Oyekanmi Alasipa, said his town stands for peace.
“We want peace, as you can see our slogan at the gate that says ‘Land of Peace,” he said.
He explained that previous meetings among traditional rulers in the area identified ‘rumour-mongering and fake news’ as the root of the tension, adding “we resolved that whenever we have any issue, he should call me, and I should also call him. We the three towns — Ilaro, Ipetumodu, and Asipa — should work together as one to settle conflicts.
There is no society without bad boys, but we can always fish them out if we work together as a team. We are people of peace, and we will never allow criminals to thrive,” Alasipa said.
The CP warned against resuscitation of the crisis, saying “If you have any case, take it to the Ooni or the court.
“How many lives are we left with? What legacy do we want to leave for our children — hatred, conflict, killing each other, burning homes? This must stop,” the police boss stated.
