Leaders of the Yoruba and Hausa communities in Ojoo, Ibadan, have pledged to work together to sustain peace and support efforts by the Oyo State government to address the recent tension in the area.
Speaking with journalists after a peace meeting convened by the deputy governor of Oyo State, chairman of the Yoruba Community in Straberg, Ojoo, Chief Solagbade Azeez, said both communities unanimously agreed with the resolutions reached at the meeting and expressed readiness to cooperate with the government.
Azeez called for the removal of suspected troublemakers and their makeshift structures from the area, alleging that some of the occupants were armed and constituted a security threat to residents.
He noted that the government had assured the communities that the shanties would be dismantled and the occupants removed within one week.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Hausa Community in Ojoo, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, described the Hausa and Yoruba communities as one family that has coexisted peacefully over the years, stressing that neither group desires conflict.
Musa blamed the recent disturbance on individuals he described as non-indigenous residents of Ojoo, alleging that some came from other locations and escalated the crisis.
He said the deputy governor, alongside the Chairman of Akinyele Local Government and security agencies, condemned the incident and directed that all persons and structures linked to the crisis be removed within seven days.
He further stated that the deputy governor instructed anyone claiming ownership of the disputed land to present documentary evidence to support such claims, adding that community leaders had also signed a memorandum requiring issues involving Hausa or Yoruba residents to be channelled through their respective leaders and reported to the government.
