Tension again at Ebiwonjumi in Ilaje as Ondo Lawmaker urges Aiyedatiwa, Security Agencies to Stop Incessant killings, Destruction
The lawmaker representing Ilaje Constituency 1 at the Ondo State House of Assembly, RT. Hon Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan, has strongly condemned incessant killings and destruction of properties at Ebiwonjumi Community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, calling on Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and all security agencies in the state to put an end to the violence.
In a Press Statement titled, “STOP THE VIOLENCE IN EBIWONJUMI: GOVERNMENT MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY”, the Lawmaker described the third reported attacks and destruction at Ebiwonjumi Community as deeply disturbing and must be condemned in the strongest terms.
Reports indicate that frequent tensions and attacks on the community have led to the destruction of homes, boat engines, fishing equipment and other means of livelihood, a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of allowing disputes between neighbouring communities to degenerate into violence.
According to Akinruntan, “the people of Ebiwonjumi, like every other Nigerian community, deserve to live in peace, pursue their legitimate livelihoods and sleep without fear for their lives and property.
“For generations, Ilaje and Itsekiri communities have maintained relationships through trade, friendship, intermarriage and other forms of social interaction. Recent tensions must therefore not be allowed to destroy a relationship that has existed for generations.
“Community disputes, particularly those involving land and territorial claims, should be addressed through dialogue, historical evidence, lawful processes and the intervention of constituted authorities—not through intimidation, violence or destruction of property.”
GOVERNMENT MUST INTERVENE URGENTLY
The Ilaje lawmaker said, “this is the time for decisive and impartial government action. The Ondo State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and the Delta State Government, should urgently strengthen security around Ebiwonjumi and other affected coastal communities.
“Security agencies must take all necessary lawful steps to prevent further attacks, protect residents and ensure that nobody takes the law into their own hands.
“The government should also conduct a thorough investigation into the reported attack and destruction of property. Anyone found responsible for criminal acts should be held accountable in accordance with Nigerian law, regardless of ethnic, political or community affiliation. There must be no selective justice.”
PROTECT THE PEOPLE AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Akinruntan maintained that, “the destruction of fishing equipment, boats, engines, homes and other property goes beyond physical damage. For riverine communities such as Ebiwonjumi, these are essential means of survival.
“Government intervention should therefore include humanitarian assistance and support for affected families whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed. The people should not be left to bear the consequences of violence they did not cause.
“The government has a responsibility to ensure that residents of remote coastal communities are not forgotten because of their geographical location.”
DEMAND FOR DIALOGUE
The Lawmaker opined further that, “the dispute between communities must not become an ethnic confrontation.
“The people of Ilaje and Itsekiri should be encouraged to return to the path of dialogue. Traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, women and youth representatives, as well as the Ondo and Delta State Governments, should come together to establish a sustainable mechanism for resolving the issues.
“Previous calls from affected Ilaje communities have similarly urged Ondo and Delta States to engage directly and bring elders from both Ilaje and Itsekiri communities to the negotiating table.
“No land dispute is worth the blood of innocent people. No economic interest is worth destroying generations of friendship. No disagreement should be allowed to turn neighbours into enemies.”
A CALL FOR PEACE AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP
“We call on the people of Ebiwonjumi and neighbouring communities to remain calm and resist every temptation to retaliate. Retaliation will only deepen the suffering and make peaceful resolution more difficult.
“We equally call on community leaders and influential persons on all sides to avoid inflammatory statements and actions capable of escalating tension. Leadership at this critical moment requires restraint, courage and a commitment to peaceful resolution.
“The government must act before the situation deteriorates further. Security must be strengthened. The reported attack must be properly investigated. Victims must receive assistance. Criminality must be addressed through due process. And the underlying disputes must be resolved through dialogue and lawful mechanisms.
“The people of Ebiwonjumi deserve peace. They deserve security. They deserve protection of their lives and property. They deserve the opportunity to return to their farms, fishing activities, homes and communities without fear.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government, the Ondo State Government, the Delta State Government, security agencies, traditional institutions and all relevant stakeholders to act urgently to restore peace in Ebiwonjumi and prevent further loss of lives and property.
“Peace must prevail. Justice must be served. Lives and livelihoods must be protected. Ebiwonjumi must not be abandoned,” Akinruntan advocated.
#