By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
The Timi of Ede in Osun State, Oba Munirudeen lawal, has raised the alarm over the spate of killings by hoodlums in the ancient community, calling for urgent government intervention.
Addressing a news conference at his palace over the weekend in Ede, Oba Lawal said that the security situation in the town was pathetic and unbearable.
The traditional ruler said that members of Oodua People Congress(OPC) and cultists were those currently terrorising the town.
According to him, though insecurity is a global phenomenon, but it is very alien to Ede people until the recent past.
Oba Lawal, who sympathised with the families whose relatives were killed maimed and houses razed, implored them to leave vengeance to God.
The traditional ruler, explained that he had never reneged in his responsibilities of securing lives and properties of the people in the town, adding that several efforts were being made to arrest the situation
“The undisclosed personal grudge between the individual members of OPC, National Hunter Association, Ya Salam Vigilantee Group and the cultists metamorphosised into the serious war the community is waging now.
“Ede in the past is known to be one of the most peaceful cities in the country, the land that used to shield, accommodate and protect other cities in and around it from terrorists.
“But now, the community members are being threatened physically, psychologically, emotionally and economically.
“Nobody can sleep with his or her eyes closed presently in Ede, the sun sets at dawn.
“It is therefore very imperative that the governments and other security stakeholders to swing into action to avoid further loss of life and property.
“It is very uncultured seeing human blood flowing in the day light. Life has no meaning to these intoxicated blood suckers.
“I wish to reiterate here that all efforts made in the past are in the best interest of my community without being fair or favour to either of the warring groups.
“I have never given supportive assistance to any of the dissidents.
“The Timi-in-Council has continued to make efforts at prevailing on the two sides to embrace peace and peaceful coexistence”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Commander General, Osun Harmonised Vigilante Group, Alhaji Ridwan Hussein popularly known as Yah’ Salam has debunked allegation of his involvement in the security breaches plaguing Ede community and environs.
He said his alleged involvement was a pure attempt to drag his image in the mud having worked and still working for peace particularly in Ede land and Osun State in general.
Alhaji Hussein while speaking on Saturday during a press conference to clear his name and security organization on allegation of involving in security breaches in the Ede community.
The Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal during a press conference he organised had alleged that the rivalry among local security outfits including the Osun Harmonised Vigilante Group headed by Alhaji Hussein Yah’Salam was the cause of security breaches been experience in Ede and its environs.
Alhaji Hussein while responding, described the allegation as unfounded, baseless and far from the truth, saying there exist cooperation and mutual understanding among all local security outfits in Ede and beyond.
He pledged to remain a man of peace and to never be a party to any criminal activity.
“I want to put it on record that the past and present crisis in Ede land should not be linked to Alhaji Ridwan Hussein Yah’ Salam security outfit. To allege that it was a war of supremacy between my own group of Harmonised vigilantes with other local security outfits like OPC and traditional hunters is uncalled for. My own group of security outfit since 1999 has always been operating independently.”
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