The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has condemned the post-election violence and loss of lives in parts of Osun State, calling on security agencies to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Oyetola, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, on Tuesday in Osogbo, described the attacks as a serious threat to the peace, heritage and democratic values of the state.
The latest in the unending post-election violence occurred Monday at Ikire where two persons were killed by hoodlums suspected to be rival unions seeking to control the Naira and Kobo Motor Park.
He stressed that no political ambition, local interest or commercial consideration could justify the loss of human lives, urging political actors and other stakeholders to reject violence and embrace dialogue in resolving disputes. “Politics must be a vehicle for development, not a catalyst for bloodshed,” he said.
The minister expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the violence and urged residents to remain calm and avoid actions capable of further escalating tensions.
Oyetola called on the Osun Police Command and other security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace and protect residents, particularly in communities affected by the unrest.
He urged the security agencies to deploy adequate personnel to volatile areas, reclaim public spaces from hoodlums and ensure that those responsible for the killings and other acts of violence are swiftly arrested and prosecuted.
The minister also appealed to residents across the state to exercise restraint and prioritize peace, warning that Osun’s development and prosperity should not be sacrificed because of political or commercial interests.
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He reaffirmed his commitment to the peace, security and development of Osun, urging citizens and stakeholders to work together to preserve the state’s reputation for civility, enterprise and democratic values.
Meanwhile, the Osun Police Command has confirmed that two civilians were killed while two police officers sustained serious injuries during an attack by suspected political thugs in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Osogbo, disclosed that the incident occurred at about 11 a.m. on Monday along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway when a police patrol team attached to the Ikire Division, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer, responded to a distress call concerning the alleged abduction of a man identified as Sunkanmi when the officers came under attack.
He said the officers were suddenly ambushed by a group of unidentified hoodlums who opened fire on their operational vehicle.
The attackers reportedly snatched an AK-47 service rifle from the police team and used the weapon to fire indiscriminately, leading to the death of two civilians.
The police spokesman said efforts were ongoing to recover the stolen rifle and apprehend those responsible for the attack, while security personnel continued to monitor the situation and work to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
NAN
