THE Oyo State Government has appealed for calm following the violence that erupted in the Ojoo area of Ibadan today, confirming that two people lost their lives and assuring residents that a full investigation is underway to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The unrest reportedly began after the killing of a commercial tricycle rider yesterday night, an incident that heightened tensions within the community and prompted the deployment of security personnel to restore order.
Representing Governor Seyi Makinde during a visit to the affected area, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal urged residents, especially youths, to remain peaceful and allow security agencies to carry out their investigations.
Lawal warned that the government would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the peace of the state, stressing that criminal activities should not be viewed through an ethnic or tribal lens.
He commended security operatives for their swift response in containing the violence and directed them to maintain a strong presence in the area to prevent further unrest and ensure a return to normalcy.
According to the deputy governor, the incident was triggered by criminal elements and had the potential to escalate into a tribal conflict if not promptly addressed.
He maintained that crime has no ethnic identity and assured residents that anyone found responsible would face the full weight of the law, regardless of their background.
Lawal appealed to residents not to take the law into their own hands, noting that the state was already dealing with security challenges and could not afford further instability.
He urged everyone to cooperate with security agencies by allowing them to carry out their duties without interference.
While expressing sympathy to the families of the two victims, he reiterated the government’s commitment to investigating the incident thoroughly and ensuring that those behind the violence are prosecuted.
The deputy governor was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde; the Executive Assistant on Security to the Governor, CP Sunday Odukoya (retd.); and the Executive Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Honourable Wole Akinleye.
Eyewitnesses said the community was tense in the early hours of Wednesday, but the prompt intervention of security personnel helped prevent the situation from worsening.
Meanwhile, Akinyele Local Government Chairman, Honourable Akinwole Ayobami Akinleye, assured residents that the government was working closely with security agencies to protect lives and property.
He also cautioned against reprisals and the spread of unverified information that could further inflame tensions.
A youth representative in the community called on the government to facilitate dialogue between leaders of the affected groups, warning that failure to achieve reconciliation could trigger further violence.
Following his visit, Lawal met with leaders of the Yoruba and Hausa communities, other stakeholders, local government officials and members of the governor’s security team.
At the meeting, community leaders maintained that there was no conflict between Hausa and Yoruba residents in the area and pledged to continue working together to preserve peace and harmony.
