Perpetua Egesimba
In an effort to quell the election crisis in Okota area of Lagos, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos and Ogun, David Folawiyo and the new Commissioner of Police, Mu’azu Zubairu, have engaged community leaders in a peace talk.
Those involved in the peace move include the Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabiru Agbabiaka and Eze Ndigbo and Chairman Council of Ndieze Lagos State, Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, Vice president Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Lagos state, Chief Vitus Uzoh among other community leaders.
Zubair, while speaking at the palace of Osolo of Isolo, on Monday, said what happened on Saturday, was a matter of concern for everybody, including the security agencies, the Oba and the residents.
He said everybody was aware of the issues in the area, but not aware of the true facts. He said he was in the area, on Saturday, with the AIG, and noted without what happened in Okota, the election was wonderful.
“They said three people were killed and nobody has seen one corpse anywhere in this area. The gentleman who was attacked was immediately rescued, rushed to the hospital and he is getting better. This is why the AIG and myself have come here to reemphasise peaceful co-existence, which I believe has been happening in this kingdom for so many years. Why is this area trying to get a new name now? A place of crisis and chaos?
The CP said he believed the meeting was going to cement the relationship between the communities in the area.
Nwachukwu said the meeting with the Oba was very necessary because of a disagreement in the area, which the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba communities were ready to sort out and agree among themselves that if such should happen, they would report to the police or the Oba.
“What happened was that some hoodlums hijacked some polling units and the people took laws into their hands, which nearly took someone’s life. Nobody died, but there were some injuries.
“We’ve agreed that everyone should go home and talk to his or her people, so that peace can reign. We’ve talked about peace for the Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba communities. We’ve agreed to be meeting from time to time to discuss our common problem.”
Oba Agbabiaka urged the Igbo leaders to always report any issue or disagreement to the police if they cannot come to him.