Ogun state Governor Dapo Abiodun has said five northern governors will hold a security meeting with him in Abeokuta Tuesday.
Abiodun made this known Monday while on an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas during the clash between the locals and some Fulani herders.
On the inspection with the governor were security chiefs and some members of the State Executive Council.
Addressing journalists, the governor said the invited governors would be in attendance at the meeting where all concerned groups and people would be represented with a view to charting a way forward on the insecurity in the state.
“I have called a stakeholders’ meeting tomorrow with my colleague-governors who are Fulani that have people here.
“Five governors are coming to Abeokuta from Northern states. We will call some of you to the meetings and discuss the matter,” Abiodun said.
On the security measures put in place, the governor said he would hand over some security vehicles and motorcycles to the special task force set up for Yewaland Tuesday.
“The delegation I sent told me what they saw. They said a lot of things happened and as they were giving the report of what they saw, we heard that another attack happened.
“I called for security meeting this morning. And before yesterday, I have set up a task force and bought new vehicles and motorcycles for Yewaland security.
“The task force consists of Police, Soldiers, Civil Defence Corps and hunters to help us in terms of security in your area.
“Tomorrow by God’s grace, all the new vehicles and motorcycles will be released. The task force will be stationed here, they will not only patrol your areas and go back to Abeokuta,” he added
He however promised to foot the hospital bills of those injured during the attacks and also assist those who lost their belongings in the mayhem.
The governor said he had asked the commissioner for special duties to collate the list of those affected in the attacks.
Tambuwal condemns Sasha crisis
Meanwhile, Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwa has condemned the Sasha market crisis which led to loss of lives and property of some northern traders in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The governor said this Monday in a statement from Government House Sokoto .He said: “Since Saturday morning when some groups of individuals halted traffic and movement of people across the various highways, asking passengers to identify their ethnic groups, I have been in constant touch with my Oyo State counterpart, Gov. Seyi Makinde on how best to halt the violence.
“We are all living witness to the bloodletting that has led to the loss of several lives a couple of hours ago after a clash ensued when a cobbler was fatally stabbed by a cart pusher in Sasha market, Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The unwarranted reprisal that followed has thus far degenerated into an ethnic conflict with a potential of snowballing into another fratricidal conflict if it is not quickly nipped in the bud.
“As a nation we must find a quick solution to these wanton killings of one another amidst the ongoing National Challenge of insecurity. Also, distraught from the ravages of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic, economic problems and the pressure to see that good governance prevail, it is against the logic of equity and good conscience for a group of people to discriminate against their fellow country men and unleash mayhem on them simply because they belong to ‘another’ ethnic group.
“We, therefore, reject, condemn and detest the ugly incidents that have enveloped the Hausa and Yoruba communities in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“While commending Gov. Makinde for his proactive response by the way of imposing an eleven hour dusk to dawn curfew and the immediate closure of Shasha market indefinitely, we call on the Federal Government to sustain the massive Police deployment in the area and also increase the number of security personnel drafted there.
“Equally, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the option of dialogue is exploited to the fullest while the welfare of those affected is catered for in the short and long term.”
Makinde assures of justice
However, Governor Makinde has assured of ensuring justice is served on all victims of the crisis between Hausa and Yoruba traders of Sasha market.
The governor gave the assurance in a state-wide broadcast aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).
He said a judicial panel will also be inaugurated to investigate the crisis, and that peace and security committees would equally be put in place in all the zones of the state with a view to addressing the grievances and ensuring justice is served.
Makinde said the state government had brought the situation under control since 2 p.m. Saturday when “a curfew was put in place and there has been no further unrest since then.”
“I visited Sasha Market and Ojoo in Akinyele Local Government Area yesterday, and I have met the people affected by the crisis. I am saddened by the loss of lives. I feel your pain. I understand your anger and frustrations. We will make things right,” he said.
“As I stated yesterday, I have also ordered a full investigation into the immediate cause of the crisis and I promise that all culprits will be brought to book. Our administration will also be providing the needed support to ensure that those who lost their properties to the mayhem are compensated,” the governor added.
He further said: “It is time to think about our self-preservation. It is time to put Oyo State first. I mourn the loss of lives that has occurred. Even when justice is served, nothing can bring back the dead. That is why I must also state that individuals who have taken to stoking up ethnic flames in Oyo State either through their utterances or actions or posts on social media are enemies of our state.”
The governor warned individuals “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”
“When we see the potential dangers of words and actions, we must take precautions. It is time to think about our self-preservation. It is time to put Oyo State first. Let me make it clear, the socio-economic prosperity that has existed in Oyo State for about two years since this administration came into office, and the peace and confidence in government we have been building, is under threat. This threat will only succeed if we allow it to happen.”
He commended security officers, including the Police, Operation Burst, and the Amotekun Corps for their roles in securing the state, even as he decried the shooting of an Amotekun Corp by a Divisional Police Officer in Ogbomoso.
Govs visit
And in a quick response, four governors from the northern part of the country Monday stormed Ibadan and held a closed door meeting with Governor Makinde at the Agodi Government House.
The governors namely, Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) arrived the Agodi Government House at about 7 pm and were received by the host governor and other top government functionaries in the state.
After a meeting which lasted for about an hour, the governors had a group photograph and promised to address the press Tuesday after their meeting.
IGP deploys DIG
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu has ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention and Stabilisation Forces to Oyo state to reclaim the public space reinforce security and bolster public confidence in the areas affected by the recent crisis in the state.
This is as the Police boss has also deployed the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-west, DIG David Folawiyo, to coordinate the operation.
This was contained in a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CP Frank Mba, Monday in Abuja.
It read in part: “The deployments, consisting largely of intelligence and operational assets of the Force, include four Units of the Police Mobile Force (PMF); seasoned operatives from the Force Intelligence Bureau; and one operational/surveillance Police helicopter from the Police Air-wing department.
“The Intervention Force is charged with the responsibility of reinforcing and stabilizing security in the State, preventing further breakdown of law and order, protecting lives and properties and ultimately enhancing public safety and general security in the State. The Intervention Force is being coordinated by a Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG David Folawiyo, who is expected to mobilize all relevant stakeholders towards achieving the mandate of the squad.”
“The IGP assures that the Force is committed to the safety of lives and properties of the citizens in the country.
“He calls on the citizens and residents of Oyo state and other Nigerians to embrace peace and cooperate with the Police and the security community as they redouble their efforts in ensuring that sustainable peace and security are restored to the affected areas,” the statement further added.
