Ooni advises all Nigerians in Ife kingdom to continue to live in peace

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on indigenes and non-indigenes to continue to live in peace and avoid any act that could threaten the peace of Ife kingdom in Osun.

Oba Ogunwusi made the call while addressing newsmen after an inter-tribal clash in Ile-Ife, Osun on Wednesday.

Newsverge reports that a clash between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), Abuja branch and Ile-Ife branch, led to destruction of property worth millions of naira in Ife kingdom on Wednesday.

According to the monarch, the Ife traditional council kicked against war or violence of any form, for I am a king that canvasses for peace and unity among Yoruba race and Nigeria at large.

“As Hausa are sojourners on this land of Ile-Ife, likewise Ife indigenes live in other towns and cities across the country and in diaspora.

‘‘Let’s give peace a chance and maintain peace and harmony on the land,” he said.

The monarch urged people who are aggrieved to direct their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than causing any unrest for citizens.

Oba Ogunwusi warned that anyone caught by the security agencies fomenting trouble would be made to face the full weight of the law.

Also, the Elejesi of Ejesi Kingdom, Ife, Oba Babatunde Awosunle, called on the people to allow peace to reign in the land.

Awosunle urged them to crown the efforts of Ooni Ogunwusi`s peace effort and that of the security agents to make Ile-Ife a peaceful town to live in.

Sarun of the Source, Chief Yemi Oriowo, alleged that one Hausa man slapped the wife of NURTW Vice-President (name withheld), which led to free for all.

At Lagere area of Ile-Ife, some Yoruba youths, who were armed with cutlasses, knives and clubs allegedly attacked some shops, said to be owned by the Hausa.

In retaliation, at Sabo in Ile-Ife, some Hausa youths also armed with cutlasses, knives and other dangerous weapons allegedly attacked shops belong to Yoruba people.

It was gathered that some school children took refuge at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi amidst radio broadcast that their parents should visit the palace for their wards.

Newsverge reports that combined team of security agencies were on ground to restore normalcy to the town.

When contacted the Police Public Relations Office, CSP Folasade Odoro, told Newsverge that the police are on top of the situation.

He said the command has been able to restore peace to the ancient city and warned that anybody caught fomenting trouble would be dealt with accordingly.