Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has announced the inauguration of the Peace and Security Committees in every zone of the State noting that with the creation of the committee, everyone’s grievances will be addressed and culprits will be brought to justice.
The Governor made the announcement in a statewide broadcast to address the ethnic clash witnessed at Shasha market, Akinleye Local Government Area in Ibadan.
According to the Governor ,the Peace and Security Committees when inaugurated will address everyone’s grievance and culprits will be brought to justice.”
The Governor also announced the creation of a judicial panel to investigate the case of the members of the Amotekun Corps who were shot at by a Police DPO for carrying out their legal duties adding there are some unscrupulous elements among the security officers who are doing the administration a disservice and sabotaging efforts to secure the state.
” I can report to you that we were able to bring the situation in Shasa under control within a few hours. Contrary to news that has been circulating on social media, since about 2 pm on Saturday, the 13th of February 2021, the situation in Sasa had been de-escalated. A curfew was put in place and there has been no further unrest since then.”
Gov Makinde also lamented the loss of lives to the clash adding that he is saddened and feels the pain of those involved and everyone else.
He said, “We know that people are angry. People have a right to be angry. When the bridge between power and justice is broken, we are bound to witness unrest. But we cannot solve the problems of peaceful co-existence in anger. I appeal to every resident of Oyo State to sheath their swords. People have been wronged; I acknowledge this.
Therefore, we are moving ahead with setting up the Peace and Security Committees in every zone of Oyo State. Starting today, these committees will be inaugurated.
He assured the public that the panel will use every apparatus available to us as a state to ensure that justice is served noting that if the officer involved is found wanting, he will be held accountable for his actions.
He finally pleaded with the people to desist from the act of taking law into their own hands as he said that people should be held accountable for their individual actions.
He consequently called on the residents and citizens of Oyo state to work with the administration to ensure lasting peace and security in the state as he explained that the security of the state is not about politics or any way to score political points at the expense of the lives of the populace.
The Governor reiterated his pledge to bring the culprits to face the full wrath of the law and ensure that those who lost their properties to the mayhem are compensated.
“Let me reiterate, some people have made this about politics and a way to score political points at the expense of the lives of our people. For me, this is not about politics. This is about securing our lives. This is about preserving Oyo State for our children. This is about our future. Work with me as I work on ways to ensure lasting peace and security in our land.”
He said, “The people who have decided to leverage these sad events to further their political goals are not our friends. These people handing us petrol and matches will not stand with us when the fire turns into an inferno.
He said, “A whole tribe, ethnic group, profession or gender must never pay for the sins of one individual. It is totally unacceptable for any individual or individuals to take law into their own hands. That is jungle justice. Oyo State is not a jungle.”
