The Elders of Ile-Ife on Friday urged residents of the ancient city to maintain peace in and across the city before, during and after this year’s June 12 anniversary.
The Elders, led by Obalufe of Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura and Lowa Adimula, High Chief Adekola Adeyeye, stated this at a peace meeting with the security agencies in Ife land and leaders of ethnic groups in the town including Eze Ndigbo of Ife and Seriki Hausawa of Ife, Chief Ezekiel Onyejekwe and Alhaji Isiaka Lawal respectively. Also at the meeting were President, Ife Development Board, Comrade Jire Awowoyin and President, Ife Action Council, Dr Gbolade Famoriyo.
The Elders warned against any act capable of causing breakdown of law and order in the city, saying that threats of violent protests have been heard which necessitated the need for the warning.
“A lot have been heard that June 12 will be bloody and many are ready to vandalis and destroy private and government property. To this end, we don’t want untoward things to happen to anybody. We implore parents to warn their children not to cause crisis because security agencies are more than prepared to deal decisively with anybody that wants to destroy the peace we are enjoying in Ife land,” the Elders warned.
They urged all compound meetings slated for Saturday, June 12, be put on hold till next week Saturday, June 19, saying, “nobody should go to mining site tomorrow.”
Speaking on behalf of other security agencies at the meeting, CSP Macfrancis Taiwo, the Divisional Police Officer, ‘C’ Division, said the police and other security agencies will not fold their hands while some people would be taking laws into their hands.
“We will not allow anybody to run down our stations, we are combat-ready to deal with anybody that wants to cause crisis,” Taiwo said.
