Ikale People Hail Akeredolu For Release Of 15 Detainees

The people of Ikale in Okitipupa and Irele local government areas of Ondo State on Saturday commended Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for releasing 15 of their kinsmen from Olokuta Medium Prison over land dispute.

The Jagunmolu of Ikaleland and retired Nigeria Army General, Dr. Oluyemi Bajowa (OFR), in a statement expressed profound gratitude for the decision of government on the release of all the detainees.

Bajowa, alongside other interest groups in the area, also commended the efforts of the Atere Panel for working out a “Peace Accord” in the flash point areas of Araromi-Obu and Ago Alaye.

Affirming that “The Ikale Traditional Rulers are in absolute control of the situation,” he assured of the willingness of the people to cooperate with the panel set up by the state government to ensure that lasting solution is preferred to the communal clash.

According to him, “All the Ikale people in the disputed border areas at the four corners of Ikale territory (North, East, West, and South), are enjoined to remain calm and keep the peace, while the Atere Panel is encouraged and assisted to address all other related matters, pertaining to the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.”

Bajowa, who is also the Ojagbulegun of Ile-Ife, felicitated with the families of those that were released and commiserated with the families of those killed in the fracas. He thanked all Ikale people for their support during the trial time.

“I congratulate Kabiyesi Oba Alayeluwa, His Royal Majesty G B Faduyile, the Ikale traditional rulers and all Ikale people at home and in diaspora, particularly the Ikale Assembly of Lawyers, for their patrotic solidarity in the ongoing Ikale land struggles.”

The two communities had been enmeshed in prolonged legal tussle for the past 15 years over land dispute which led to fracas on July 16, 2019 and wanton destruction of lives and properties after an Akure High Court judgment ruled in favour of the Ikales.

However, Governor Akeredolu who paid assessment visits to the communities, ordered curfew within 24 hours in Ago-Alaye, arrest of 15 persons, which included a 89 year old man, Ikupoluyi Omoseebi, in connection to the crisis and set up the panel.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the patriarch, Omoseebi, was released three weeks ago while the remaining 14 persons arrested and detained in Olokuta were released on Friday evening.