By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
ABEOKUTA — The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola, has appealed for calm and restraint following the alleged burning of the residence of the Baale of Elere-Adubi in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Chief Rasheed Adubi.
Oba Matemilola made the appeal when he led a delegation of traditional rulers and community leaders on a condolence and peace visit to the affected community.
The delegation included the Towulade of Owu-Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran; Alawowo of Awowo, Oba Abdul Gafar Olalekan Tijani; Olu of Aga Olowo, Oba Kayode Adiokushoro; and Oni Papa of Papalanto, Oba Rasaq Jimoh Famuyiwa, among others.
The Baale’s residence was allegedly set ablaze by suspected hoodlums and arsonists a few weeks ago, an incident that reportedly heightened tension in the community.
Speaking during the visit, Oba Matemilola said he deemed it necessary to personally visit the area, assess the extent of the damage, interact with residents and appeal to them not to take the law into their hands while investigations continued.
“Primarily, I came on a condolence visit to the Baale of Elere-Adubi, Chief Adubi Rasheed, whose house was burnt down by hoodlums and arsonists a few weeks ago.
“The police have been there to investigate, and we need to allow the authorities to carry out their investigation. I also understand that the local government chairman has been involved, but it was important for me to come personally, assess the situation, understand exactly what happened and speak with our people,” he said.
The monarch expressed concern that the incident could provoke anger among youths, chiefs and other residents, warning against resorting to self-help.
“When this sort of thing happens, you can imagine that the youth, the chiefs, the indigenes and everybody in the town will feel upset, and they may want to take the law into their hands.
“I have come to assure them that they should relax and exercise more patience. The authorities are doing their best, and we are also doing our best to ensure that these matters are resolved.
“The arsonists, the hooligans and those behind this act will be tracked down, and the law will take its course. Whatever happens, we must ensure that we remain within the law in addressing issues,” Oba Matemilola said.
He commended residents for maintaining restraint despite the anger generated by the alleged attack.
“You can feel the anger in them, but you can also see that they have been very patient and have endured without taking the law into their hands,” he said.
The Olowu urged residents to continue to support government security efforts and allow the relevant authorities to resolve the matter.
Also speaking, the Towulade of Owu-Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran, said the visit was aimed at conducting an on-the-spot assessment and strengthening efforts to preserve peace in the affected communities.
He said the traditional institution would continue to support government efforts to maintain security and prevent the area from descending into violence.
“We have done a lot, and you can see that there is peace in the town. But we felt it was important for the Olowu to come and personally see the situation of things.
“We have to support what the government of today is doing. He is spending a lot of money on security, likewise Mr President. Olowu is also conscious that there should be peace and that we should not allow our area to turn violent or descend into chaos. That is why we are here,” he said.
On concerns over land grabbing in the communities, Oba Adediran said traditional rulers were taking steps to address the menace.
“It is one of the major issues we have, especially those of us in the corridor of Elere-Onigbedu Road. We are attacking it, and very soon, all these things will disappear,” he said.
Visit will douse tension
The Alawowo of Awowo, Oba Abdul Gafar Tijani, said the royal visit was necessary to calm tension arising from alleged harassment and activities of unidentified hoodlums in the area.
“We have been on this matter for a while, especially the harassment by some hoodlums and people who hide behind the scene and cannot be easily identified.
“So far, we have been able to make Olowu understand the situation, and his visit is very important in order to douse the tension here. That is why we are here,” he said.
Similarly, the Olu of Aga Olowo, Oba Kayode Adiokushoro, described the intervention by the Olowu as a fatherly effort to restore lasting peace among the affected communities.
“Kabiyesi has come as our father to make peace, and we should allow that peace to reign.
“We have been living together as one family, and nothing should happen that will make us see ourselves as enemies.
“Kabiyesi Olowu has preached peace today, and I think that is the ultimate message of this entire intervention,” he said.
Meanwhile, youth leaders from neighbouring communities appealed for urgent action to prevent the crisis from spreading.
The Caretaker Chairman of Elere-Onigbedu Youth Community, Comrade Oluwaseun Anuoluwa, said residents wanted lasting peace and expressed concern over alleged land-grabbing activities in the area.
“We are very happy that Kabiyesi is here. All we want is peace for Elere and Onigbedu. We do not want what happened at Elere to happen in Onigbedu,” he said.
Also speaking, the General Secretary of Elere-Adubi Youth Development, Comrade Prince Adubi Saheed Olajide, called for justice over the alleged arson attack and urged the relevant authorities to take decisive action.
“We are expecting action to be taken and justice to be done. We need justice in Elere-Adubi, and we need justice in Owu Kingdom,” he said.
Olajide expressed confidence that the Olowu’s intervention would produce positive results, describing the monarch as the paramount ruler and father of the Owu people.
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