The government of Oyo State has reassured residents of not relenting in securing lives and property within its jurisdiction.
The government stated this on Thursday, August 29, through the Acting Governor of the state, Barrister Bayo Lawal, following an on-the-spot assessment visit to Gbepakan Village in Saki West Local Government where some yet-to-be-identified assailants attacked and killed some residents.
Barrister Lawal maintained that the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has always shown its commitment to delivering on the fundamental task of securing lives as evident in its huge investments on security.
The Acting Governor, who lamented the attack which affected mostly the Fulani residents in the village, said the government would protect its various communities and ensure that no man is oppressed irrespective of his ethnicity or religion.
The unknown assailants had unleashed attacks on Fulani and Yoruba residents of the village on Tuesday night.
The Acting Governor condemned the attack and called for a peaceful coexistence between the Yoruba and Fulani residents in the area, adding that the victims would be catered for by the government through the provision of some materials to meet their immediate needs.
According to Lawal, the visit was to assess the situation, condole with victims’ families and reassure the people of the area.
He added that the government would bring the perpetrators to book and provide all necessary logistics to aid security agencies in their investigations into the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr Ayodele Sonubi, had earlier visited the area to assess the situation.
The Acting Governor said: “We are here to pay a visit to assess the aftermath of the ugly incident that happened about two days ago in which about 10 residents of this village were killed by yet to be identified attackers.
“This visit is to condole with the people and give assurances that attacks of this nature cannot be condoned in our state, because we believe in one Nigeria and we believe that people are free to live in peace, settle in peace and carry out their businesses in peace.
“There is no room for discrimination against any tribe or ethnicity in Oyo State. We are only against criminals and we will not allow crime and criminality to take roots in any part of the State. That is the message and it is very clear.
“Only yesterday, the Commissioner of Police paid a visit to assess the situation here and we have seen that some people actually invaded this hamlet and carried out this dastardly action. Investigations are ongoing but the purpose of this visit is to give assurance to our people.
“We will get to the roots of the incident and whoever is caught will face the wrath of the law.”
The Acting Governor further noted that the Governor Makinde-led administration remains committed to securing lives and properties everywhere within the state.
He added: “As a government, we will ensure that all the logistics the security agencies would need to carry out their investigations are provided, because we are determined to always provide security for our people in any part of Oyo State.
“We will not relent, no matter how much it is going to cost the government, to ensure that lives and properties are secured within our environments.”
On the entourage of the Acting Governor were a former deputy governor of the state, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investments and Cooperatives, Hon. Niyi Adebisi; his counterpart in charge of Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Joke Sanni; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (Retired); Chairman of the Oyo State Pension Board, Hon. Rafiu Adekunle and the Chairman of Saki West Local Government, Mr Gbenga Akinola.
