In a broadcast to residents of Oyo State on Monday, the state governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, said his government would ensure that justice is served on all the victims of the crisis that erupted between Hausa and Yoruba residents of Shasha market of Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan at the weekend.
The governor also said a judicial panel would be inaugurated to investigate the crisis, assuring he would put in place a peace and security committees in all the zones with a view to addressing grievances and ensuring justice is served.
The governor, while appealing to angry residents of the area to sheathe their swords, stated: “it is time to think about our self-preservation. It is time to put Oyo State first.”
Makinde, who maintained the state government has been able to bring the situation in Shasha under control, explained the situation has been de-escalated since around 2:00 pm on Saturday, “a curfew was put in place and there has been no further unrest since then.”
The governor warned residents not to take laws into their hands, assuring the government will deploy all the apparatus available to it to ensure that justice was done.
He said the incident was unfortunate, stating “I visited Shasha Market and Ojoo in Akinyele Local Government Area yesterday (Sunday) 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 warned individuals leveraging the sad events in the state for political goals to desist, stating that such individuals and those who fan the embers of crisis are not friends of the state.
The governor commended security officers, including the police, Operation Burst, and the Amotekun Corps for the roles they have been playing in securing the state.
He equally pointed out that individuals doing a disservice to the state and sabotaging its efforts on security would face the wrath of the law, decrying the shooting of an Amotekun Corps by a Divisional Police Officer in Ogbomoso.
He maintained that a judicial panel will be set up to investigate the incident and anyone found culpable would face the music.
