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From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Ondo State government has warned against any communal dispute in any part of the state, urging warring communities to sheath their swords and embrace peace in the interest of the state.
The state deputy governor, Dr Olayide Odunlami, who gave the warning on behalf of the state government, said the Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led government would not tolerate any act of restiveness and violence between communities or groups.
This was in reaction to a boundary dispute between Ode-Irele in Irele local government and Igbobini in Ese-Odo local government, both in the southern senatorial district of the state.
Adelami, had on Friday, called the stakeholders to a dispute resolution meeting in Akure at the behest of the governor where he directed the two communities to halt the feud and give room for peace.
He said: “No meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour. I must tell you from my experience that communal crisis posses existential danger to collective peace and growth of any society.
“While the state government is finding a lasting solution to this lingering crisis, I have the authority of Mr Governor to direct you to immediately put a stop to this dispute and allow peace to reign,” he stressed.
Adelami also asked the security agencies to release some of the confiscated belongings from parties involved in the crisis, as a first-step measure to resolving the issue.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, said there was no basis for the crisis to get to its current level.
While thanking the state government for mediating in the crisis, he assured that the police would do their bit to ensure that peace returned to the communities.
On their part, the Olu of Igbobini, Dele Raphael, and the Gbeleju of Ode-Irele, Omogunwa, who spoke on behalf of their people, agreed to work together to bring peace to both communities.
Major stakeholders at the meeting included member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Irele, Christopher Ogunlana; his counterpart from Ese-Odo, Oluwatoyin Allen; the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Emmanuel Igbasan and the Divisional Police Officers in the two communities, among others.
