Dr Olayide Adelami, Ondo state deputy governor, has said the Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led government will not tolerate any act of restiveness and violence between communities or groups.
This is 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 Ondo state.
Adelami, had on Friday, called the stakeholders for 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 poses 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”
Adelami also asked the security agency 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 Ondo state Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, said there is no basis for the crisis to get to this level. While thanking the state government for mediating in the crisis, he assured that the police will do its bit to ensure peace returns to the communities.
On their part, the Olu of Igbobini, Engr Dele Raphael and the Gbeleju of Ode-Irele, High Chief 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.
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