The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has expressed displeasure over the bloody ethnic clash that erupted between indigenes of Ile-Ife in Osun State and Hausa settlers, saying his reign had been known for peace and not war.
The monarch has, however, appealed to the warring indigenes and Hausa settlers to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
Speaking with journalists in his palace on Wednesday evening, Ooni said he had been known as an advocate for peace and unity, wondering why the situation in his domain would now contradict what he had been preaching.
The first class traditional ruler said, ” I kick against war or violence of any form, for I am a king that canvasses peace and unity among the Yoruba race and Nigerians at large.
“As Hausa are sojourners in this land of Ile-Ife, likewise, Ife indigenes live in other towns and cities across the country and in the Diaspora. So, let’s give peace a chance and maintain peace and harmony in the land.”
The king said those who had any grouse should channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters and refrain from taking laws into their hands by causing unrest in the town.
He warned against further clashes, saying anyone caught by the law enforcement agencies would regret their actions.
Speaking in the same vein, another monarch in the town, the Elejesi of Ejesi Kingdom, Ife, Oba Babatunde Awosunle, called on the members of the two ethnic groups to give peace a chance and desist from further bloodshed.
Meanwhile, a visit by our correspondent to Sabo, Lagere, Isale Oja, among other areas, revealed that virtually all the Hausa settlers had deserted their abodes as normalcy was gradually being restored to the town.
Many shops in the Sabo area, dominated by the Hausa settlers, had been destroyed, while some of the wares stocked in them had been torched. Others were looted by touts around the community.
It was further gathered that some of the victims of the violence were rushed to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile Ife for medical attention.
