The effort by Oriade Local Council Development Area and Lagos State Government to restore peace and normalcy in Ibeshe,a riverine community, following the March 4th communal clash in the area, received a major boost on Wednesday,27th March,2024, when the two warring communities agreed to sheath their swords,by signing peace accord documents.
The signing of the peace accord documents by twenty representatives of each of the two communities, Ibeshe Indigenous Community and Ibeshe Sea Beach Community took place at the council secretariat,in the presence of all stakeholders, including representatives of the Ministry Of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs and various security agencies, during a peace and security meeting convened by the Executive Chairman of Oriade LCDA, Hon Ramotalai Akinlola-Hassan.
Addressing the stakeholders during the meeting,Hon Akinlola-Hassan stated that the objective of the meeting is to foster lasting harmony between the Ibeshe Indigenous Community and the Ibeshe Sea Beach Community,as a result of the avoidable clash that broke out between the two communities on March 4th,2024.
The council chairman added that it has become imperative for the two communities to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign in Ibeshe.Her words:Our objective is to ensure that that our children can return to school without fear, and to revive vital economic activities, such as the operation of boat drivers without fear, harassment and molestation from any quarters.
Hon Akinlola-Hassan stated further that the commitment of the two communities to sign the peace accord documents will signal a sincere willingness to pursue reconciliation and cooperation of all stakeholders in the concerted effort to guide against future occurrence of such bitter experience.
She expressed her appreciation to all key stakeholders, including representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, various security agencies and operatives,as well as the paramount traditional ruler of Ibeshe,HRM Oba Gausu Alani Rasak for their collective determination to uphold peace and security in Ibeshe.
The Police Commander,Area L, Ilashe ,ACP A. Yusuf while addressing the stakeholders at the meeting, appealed to residents of the two communities to have trust in the security agencies in their effort to ensure peace and normalcy are restored in Ibeshe.
He reminded them that justice can only be served in an atmosphere of peace, and as such appeal to the people to give peace a chance and allow security agencies to conclude their investigation over the unfortunate incident.
The Ovori of Ibeshe kingdom,Oba Gausu Rasak commended the council chairman,Hon Akinlola-Hassan and all the security agencies for their positive roles and tremendous steps they have taken, in ensuring that peace is restored to the two communities and the people are reunited as one big family.
The traditional ruler also appealed to the two communities to embrace peace and allow government and security agencies to take charge of the situation,as legitimate constituted authority in charge of peace and security in the society.He assured that, with the signing of the peace accord documents by the two communities, peace will reign supreme in Ibeshe.
The peace meeting was a huge success,as representatives of the two communities in attendance at the meeting expressed their joy for the timely intervention of the government and security agencies in the dispute.
