Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State declared on Monday that his government would ensure that justice was served on all the victims of the crisis that erupted between Hausa and Yoruba residents of Sasa Market of Akinyele local government, Ibadan, at the weekend.
The governor disclosed that a judicial panel would also be inaugurated to investigate the crisis, adding that Peace and Security Committees would equally be put in place in all the zones of the state with a view to addressing the grievances and ensuring justice was served.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also quoted the governor as appealing to angry residents of the area to sheathe their swords, warning that whenever the people saw the potential dangers of words and actions, they must take precautions.
He said: “It is time to think about our self-preservation. It is time to put Oyo State first.”
Governor Makinde, who maintained that contrary to news circulating in the social media, the state government had been able to bring the situation in Sasa under control.
He stated that the situation had been de-escalated since around 2 p.m. on Saturday.
“A curfew was put in place and there has been no further unrest since then,” he said.
The statement indicated that Governor Makinde stated these in a state-wide broadcast aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, on Monday.
The governor warned residents not to take laws into their hands, even as he maintained that the government would deploy all the apparatus available to it to ensure that justice was done.
He said that the incident was unfortunate, adding: “I visited Sasa Market and Ojoo in Akinyele local government area yesterday, 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.”
