By Ayomide Otitoju
The Oyo State Government has confirmed the death of two persons following the violence that erupted in the Ojoo area of Ibadan on Wednesday, assuring residents that a full investigation is underway to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The unrest reportedly followed the killing of a commercial tricycle rider on Tuesday night, which heightened tensions in the community and prompted the deployment of security operatives to restore order.
Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, who visited the affected area on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, appealed to residents, particularly youths, to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out their investigations.
Lawal warned that the state government would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting public peace, stressing that criminality should not be given ethnic or tribal interpretation.
He commended security personnel for their swift response and directed them to maintain a strong presence in the area to prevent further violence and restore normalcy.
“There was a disturbance caused by criminal elements with the potential to degenerate into a tribal conflict, and we must stop it immediately,” the deputy governor said.
He maintained that criminal acts are committed by individuals and not ethnic groups, adding that anyone found culpable, regardless of tribe, would be prosecuted.
Lawal said the government was profiling suspects and investigating the immediate and remote causes of the violence, while urging residents not to take the law into their own hands.
He confirmed that two lives were lost during the unrest and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The deputy governor was accompanied on the assessment visit by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde; the Governor’s Executive Assistant on Security, retired Commissioner of Police Sunday Odukoya; and the Chairman of Akinyele Local Government, Akinwole Akinleye.
Eyewitnesses said the situation was tense in the early hours of Wednesday but noted that the prompt intervention of security operatives prevented further escalation.
Also speaking, Akinyele Local Government Chairman Akinwole Akinleye assured residents that the government was working closely with security agencies to protect lives and property, while urging the public to avoid reprisals and disregard unverified information.
Earlier, a youth representative called on the government to engage leaders of the affected groups to foster reconciliation and prevent further violence.
Following his visit, Lawal held a meeting with leaders of the Yoruba and Hausa communities, other stakeholders, the local government chairman and members of the governor’s security team.
At the meeting, the community leaders insisted that there was no ethnic conflict between Hausa and Yoruba residents in the area and pledged to continue working together to sustain peace and harmonious coexistence.
