GIVE PEACE A CHANCE-MORNACH ADMONISHES SAGAMU RESIDENTS

By Olusola Ayoola, ZIO Sagamu

An appeal has gone to residents of Makun Community, in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, not to take laws into their hands, but to give peace a chance and ensure harmonious relationship among dwellers of villages in the area.

The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi who gave the appeal in his Palace, following a protest by some residents of 40 villages within the Local Government over unwholesome act of land grabbers, promised to ensure justice, while consulting necessary documents through the concerned traditional rulers, saying he would ensure nobody is cheated.  

"I just want you all to continue to be patient and maintain peace. Don't resort to self-help, because it is easy to start a war but to end it may be very difficult. I will definitely call for the meeting of all the traditional rulers in Remoland for a way forward over this matter. If need be, we might set up a committee to help look into this issue, but be rest assured that it will receive adequate attention", he said. 

Contributing, the Ewusi of Makun, Sagamu, Oba Timothy Akinsanya said his people had always been reporting the activities of the land grabbers to him, but had always told them to be patient with the belief that those involved would be brought to book.

Oba Akinsanya said "but I want to believe that my people are fed up, because the other party has refused to tow the path of peace. They are therefore demanding for Akarigbo's intervention so that this matter will not escalate unnecessarily and peace will reign in all these affected communities".

Also speaking, President of Makun Youths, Hon. Adeyemi Kalejaiye, said the protest was to send strong signals to all the land grabbers disturbing peace of over 40 villages.

In his words, "We have been on this issue for about five years, but we are now saying enough is enough. Governor Abiodun and our father in Remo land, the Akarigbo should please come to our rescue before this issue turns to avoidable crisis".

Corroborating, Chairman, Organising Committee of the protest,

Alhaji Jamiu Olododo, called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun and Akarigbo of Remoland, as Makun indigenes could no longer tolerate the lawlessness of the land grabbers.

Alhaji Olododo said a drastic measure should be put in place to address the situation, noting that people might be forced to defend themselves, saying "our people are already tired of being chased about in their villages’’.

Some of the affected villages include, Okerala, Kanuyi, Idarika, Ewu Lisa, Ipa, Alawun, Simawa, among others.