Following violent clashes in Ido Ayegunle and Esa Oke communities, the Governor of Osun State, accompanied by key officials including the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, Chief of Staff Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, and heads of security agencies, visited the affected areas on Tuesday to offer support and address the situation.
The Governor’s visit focused on restoring peace, holding perpetrators accountable, and ensuring justice for those impacted by the violence.
In a joint tour with representatives from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Nigeria Police, NSCDC, Amotekun, and local vigilante groups, the Governor paid a condolence visit and expressed solidarity with the communities.
Addressing the leaders and residents of Ido Ayegunle and Esa Oke, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace and zero tolerance for violence. “Our administration has zero tolerance for violence, and we will not allow such lawlessness to persist in our communities,” the Governor declared. He also announced the establishment of a panel of inquiry to investigate the root causes of the violence and ensure that anyone found responsible, regardless of their status, faces legal consequences. “Anyone found culpable, no matter how highly placed, will face the full wrath of the law,” he emphasized.
The Governor urged the people of both communities to embrace peace as a critical path to development, saying, “The only catalyst for true development is peace.” He further encouraged residents to reject any actions that could disrupt the harmony and progress of their areas.
The Governor reassured the communities that all submitted petitions concerning the crisis would be thoroughly reviewed, adding, “We are dedicated to ensuring that peace returns to these warring communities.” He also promised that the panel of inquiry would look into the requests regarding the Chieftaincy status of Ido Ayegunle.
In closing, the Governor commended law enforcement agencies for their swift and decisive response in containing the violence, and reiterated the state government’s resolve to restore peace and justice in the affected communities.