Yoruba, Ijaw leaders meet in Ogun

Following the attacks by armed militants on some communities in Ogijo, Sagamu area of Ogun State, the leaders of the Yoruba Unity Forum and the Ijaw National Congress, on Wednesday, met at the palace of the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo, in Sagamu in order to find a lasting solution.

Towards the end of June and early July, some Ogun communities were under deadly attacks in which no fewer than 50 persons were killed, the affected communities included Imushin, Imuti, Ebute-Ibafo, Elepete, Igbo Olomu among others.

Many residents had fled the communities and are yet to return to their homes.

The purpose of the meeting according to the leaders of the two parties was to rub minds with stakeholders in the area to ensure adequate peace among residents.

Mr. Yinka Odumakin led the Yoruba leaders under the umbrella of the YUF while the Chairman of Bayelsa Elders Council, Chief Francis Dokpola, led other notable leaders of Ijaw nation to the meeting.

Odumakin according to The PUNCH said that said the forum, worried by the ugly development in the Yoruba communities, set up a committee to liaise with the communities where the incidents happened.

He explained that the only way out of this situation was for the government to consider the option of a state and community policing to deal with all kinds of crimes, arguing that the ‘federal police’ had failed in this regard.

According to Odumakin, “The consensus we have reached here today is that the perpetrators of the nefarious acts are criminal elements, who are going about disturbing the peace and killing people.”

Odofin of Isonyindo, Oba Samuel Gisanrin, said traditional rulers in Sagamu communities were disturbed by the development, hence the need for all stakeholders to discuss the way out of the security breach.

Chief Francis Dokpola, Chairman of Bayelsa Elders Council, on his own part, said there was the need for them to visit the Yoruba communities affected by the attacks.

The Area Commander, Sagamu Division of the police command, Mr. Ali Janga, said the hoodlums should be invited for a dialogue if such move would bring peace to the area.