Ekiti State government has threatened to arrest those igniting unrest in the lingering land dispute between Esure and Ilomu Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.
It also stressed the need for the Elesure of Esure Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibola and Olomu of Ilomu, Oba Ojo Oluwadamilare, to rein in their subjects to refrain from violence and trespass that were stoking disunity in the area.
Addressing the leaders of the beleaguered communities in her office at the weekend, the deputy governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, restrained the parties from taking any action on the land, pending the report of the Technical Committee set up by the government will be released.
Mrs Afuye, in a statement by her media aide, Victor Ogunje, appealed to the feuding parties to sheathe their swords saying that the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led government won’t allow those he described as “trouble makers” to cause mayhem and destabilise any community under the guise of land dispute.
She said; “It was our genuine intention to broker peace that we set up a technical committee that had visited the disputing site. They are still working on their report and the recommendations on their findings will be released soon.
“But before doing that, We have had reported cases of trespass, attacks and threats being perpetrated by some people. We will not tolerate these.
“Governor Oyebanji is a believer and promoter of peace; this government loves peace. We appeal to you to allow peace to reign. Let us warn our youths against causing unnecessary restiveness between the two communities. Work for the stability of the two towns, because you are brothers.
“Very soon, the technical committee will meet to finalise a report on the land dispute. I know that our Kabiyesis can discipline their unruly youths if they want to.’’
In their separate responses, the two monarchs applauded the government’s efforts, and promised to intensify efforts to curtail the crisis surrounding the protracted land dispute, widening the gulf of animosity between the two towns.
