Ikire Kingship Tussle: Peace Returned, As Army Personnel Vacate Town

….Osun Deputy Governor replaces burnt military operational vehicle

Peace has finally returned to the sleepy town of Ikire, in Irewole Local Government Area of the state, following an ensuing feud over the rightful occupant of Akire stool.

The crisis further degenerated when some suspected thugs engaged soldiers who were drafted to the area to restore peace in a free for all, leading to beating of a soldier into coma, while two of their rifles were carted away, as an operational vehicle was damaged and later set ablaze.

The reinforcement of more personnel into the town thereafter led to the death of some residents and wanton destruction of property.

The prompt intervention of the state government, however, doused the rising tension, in which warring parties were appeased and made to see reasons for peace.

The Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi, who coincidentally hails from the town, alongside Chairmen of two local governments in the axis eventually facilitated the recovery of seized weapons, as part of conditions for peace.

Also, the Deputy Governor, replaced the burnt operational vehicle with a newly acquired Hilux van, and promised that the remaining items seized from the soldiers would be recovered in earnest.

Alabi said, ” The government in the state of Osun greatly regret the recent fracas in Ikire, in which military operatives who came to restore peace were brutally attacked. However, we are grateful for timely intervention of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, coupled with rare understanding and cooperation of the military authority.

” We are happy that finally, peace has returned to Ikire town and we want the two warring parties in the town to maintain absolute peace and decorum, in order not to heat up the polity.

“Residents of the town are hereby enjoin to go about their lawful engagement without fear, as government is determined to protect lives and property of citizenry without blemish”.