Ile-Ife Crisis: Governor Aregbesola inaugurates commission of enquiry

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has inaugurated a five-man judicial commission of enquiry into the crisis that erupted between the Yoruba and Hausa in Ile-Ife on March 8 in which lives were lost and property destroyed.

A  media aide to the governor,  Mr Semiu Okanlawon, made this known in a statement in  Osogbo on Monday.

The statement quoted the governor as urging members of the commission to investigate and determine the remote and immediate causes of the mayhem.

He also mandated them to recommend appropriate civil or criminal actions to be taken against the perpetrators and make appropriate suggestions to the state government in order to prevent a  future occurrence.

The governor further urged the commission to recommend appropriate monetary sum as compensation(s) for damages or injuries that may have been suffered by any individual or group of individuals during the crisis.

He said: “You have four weeks to carry out this assignment.

“The report that small arms and light weapons were deployed freely during the crisis was disturbing and frightening.

“It has implication for the security of lives and property and the potential for more conflicts beyond the immediate theatre of war, if not nipped in the bud.

“I want you to look into this. The sources and the current location of these arms and their custodians should be investigated, determined and all should be recovered.’’

The Chairman of the commission, Justice Moshood Adeigbe, said the commission would ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book.

“Mr Governor, I assure you that we will not let you and the people down, we will carry out this task you have given us to the best of our ability, ” he said.

Other members of the panel are  Mrs Bose Dawodu, Mr Ismail Ajibade, the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of DSS and Mr Bisi Babalola, who will act as the secretary.

[NAN]