Aregbesola Inaugurates Commission of Inquiry into Ife Clash
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has again reiterated the commitment of his adminis tration to promote communal peace in the state, just as he called for cooperation with security agencies in the process of unraveling those behind the March 8 mayhem in Ile-Ife.
The governor stated this after inaugurating a five-man judicial commission of inquiry into the disturbance of public peace in Ile-Ife recently.
Members of the commission who have been given four weeks to present their report are: Justice M.A Adeigbe who is the chairman; Mrs. Bose Dawodu DCP (rtd); Ismail Ajibade, the state Commissioner of Police, the state Director of DSS and Mr. Bisi Babalola, who will act as the secretary of the commission.
The governor charged the commission to investigate and determine the causes of the disturbance, identify the perpetrators, the extent of involvement and determine the extent of injury suffered by any individual or group.
They were also mandated to recommend appropriate civil or criminal action to be taken against the perpetrators, make appropriate suggestions to the state government towards the prevention of future occurrence and also recommend appropriate monetary sum as compensation (s) for damages or injuries that may have been suffered by any individual or group of individuals in respect to matters received by it.
According to the governor, “You have four weeks to carry out this assignment. The report that small arms and light weapons were deployed freely during the crisis was disturbing and frightening.
“It has implication for security of lives and property as well as potential for more conflicts beyond the immediate theatre of war, if not nipped in the bud.
“I want you to look into this. The sources and the current location of these arms and their custodians should be investigated and determined. They should all be recovered. “There are also reports that cultists who have no regard for human lives were recruited for the mayhem for a fee. This is most disheartening. Please investigate this and unearth the roles they played and let the law be applied without fear or favour.
“I charge this commission to be courageous and fearless. Undertake this assignment with all seriousness and the fear of God. You should pursue the truth without fear.
“We want justice for all. Like Martin Luther King Jr once said: ‘Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream’, to the victims and the perpetrators alike, as I wish you success on this crucial assignment.”
The governor warned against pre-empting the outcome of on going investigation, saying it would be prejudicial to the efforts of the law enforcement agencies, as he however expressed confidence that the crisis is not an inter-ethnic, inter religious or inter regional one
Aregbesola described the mayhem as “just an ugly development, a breach of public peace, masterminded by hoodlums and criminals which resulted in the loss of lives and property.”
He said the opinion of those fanning the embers of discord between the Hausa and Yoruba people should be disregarded, stressing that it is unwise and wicked for anybody to describe the violence in the Sabo area of Ile-Ife as a religious or tribal war.
The governor said: “The police and other law enforcement agencies have assured us that the rule of law will be strictly adhered. We owe them support and the need for patience until the final outcome, since investigation into the matter has begun.
“Secondly, Yoruba people are OMOLUABI; very loving, fair-minded, justice-seeking, hospitable and accommodating to a fault. This is why other people flock to us, likewise, the Hausa community in Ile-Ife and other parts of the state.”
In his response, Chairman of the judicial commission of enquiry, Justice Moshood Adeigbe, who thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the people of the state, promised that the commission would discharge its job without fear or favour.
“Your excellency, I assure you that we will not let you and the people of the state down; we will carry out this task you have given us to the best of our ability.
“Me and my team will ensure that the perpetrators of the sad event which occurred at Ife are brought to book.”