Communal crisis: Ekiti summons 2 monarchs, chiefs

The Ekiti State government has given the Onigbemo of Igbemo-Ekiti, Oba Adewumi Daramola, and the Olorun of Orun-Ekiti, Oba Joshua Osalusi, a strong warning over allowing a breakdown of law and order between the two neighbouring communities. Violence had erupted between the two communities at the weekend over a bus stop shed constructed by Orun […]

The Ekiti State government has given the Onigbemo of Igbemo-Ekiti, Oba Adewumi Daramola, and the Olorun of Orun-Ekiti, Oba Joshua Osalusi, a strong warning over allowing a breakdown of law and order between the two neighbouring communities.

Violence had erupted between the two communities at the weekend over a bus stop shed constructed by Orun youths to mark the festive period. The shed was allegedly burnt down by Igbemo youths, who were said to be claiming that the project was erected on their land.

Addressing the traditional rulers in their palaces during an emergency visit to the towns on Monday, the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, expressed displeasure over disruption of peace and the tension created by the burning down of the bus stop shed.

According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi had also summoned the two monarchs to a peace meeting to be held in his office today to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

The two communities are located in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

Egbeyemi stressed that he came to issue “a yellow card” to the two kings and their chiefs on the crisis, warning that a further breakdown of law and order in the two communities would compel the state government to give what he called “a red card” to them.

The Deputy Governor, who emphasized that the state government would not tolerate bloodshed, violence, arson and acrimony among communities in Ekiti, maintained that government would only be able to implement its good intention in an atmosphere where peace was sustained.

Egbeyemi said, “There had been crises in these communities two days ago, which if not curtailed, could lead to loss of lives. I have been asked to give Olorun and Onigbemo a yellow card and after this, if the crises persist, they should be expecting a red card.

“It is when there is peace that we can attract industries and bring developmental projects to your communities. If there is no peace, there is no way we would be able to assist your people and the community at large. We want peace to reign in all the nooks and crannies of Ekiti State.”