The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola, on Sunday led other traditional rulers and community leaders on a condolence and peace visit to the Baale of Elere-Adubi in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Chief Rasheed Adubi, whose residence was allegedly set ablaze by suspected hoodlums and arsonists a few weeks ago.
Other monarchs on the visit included the Towulade of Owu-Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran; the Alawowo of Awowo, Oba Abdul Gafar Olalekan Tijani; and the Olu of Aga Olowo, Oba Kayode Adiokushoro, Oni Papa of Papalanto Oba Dr. Rasaq Jimoh Famuyiwa among others.
Speaking during the visit, Oba Matemilola said he considered it necessary to personally visit the community to assess the extent of the damage, interact with residents and appeal for restraint while security agencies and relevant authorities continue their investigation.
The Olowu said, “Primarily, I just 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.”
Olowu expressed concern that the incident could provoke anger among youths, chiefs and other residents, warning against any attempt by members of the community to resort 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,” he said.
“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 commended residents for exercising restraint despite what he described as visible anger over the 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 added.
“I want to appeal to them again: do not take the law into your hands. All these matters will be resolved amicably, God willing.”
Also speaking, the Towulade of Owu-Akinale, Oba Oluseyi Adediran, said the visit by the Olowu was aimed at conducting an on-the-spot assessment and reinforcing ongoing efforts to maintain peace in the affected communities.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
On the growing concerns over land grabbing in communities Oba Adediran said traditional authorities were taking steps to confront 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.
“We are working very hard, and these ajagungbale and all these land-grabbing activities will be resolved.”
Also speaking, the Alawowo of Awowo Oba Abdul Gafar Tijani, said the royal visit was necessary to calm tension following 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,” he said.
“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.
“I have the assurance that everything will go down well. By God’s grace, there will be no problem.”
Similarly, the Olu of Aga Olowo in Ewekoro Local Government, Oba Kayode kusoro described the Olowu’s intervention as a fatherly effort aimed at restoring lasting peace among the affected communities.
“Kabiyesi has come as our father to make peace, and we should allow that peace to reign,” he said.
“We have been living together as one family, and nothing should happen that will make us see ourselves as enemies.
“When the devil comes, there is nothing much we can do except to ensure that peace prevails. Kabiyesi Olowu has preached peace today, and I think that is the ultimate message of this entire intervention.”
Meanwhile, youth leaders from neighbouring communities also appealed for urgent action to prevent the crisis from spreading.
The Caretaker Chairman of the 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.
“Concerning what is going on in Onigbedu right now, we believe it is related to the same issue of land grabbers. We do not want that kind of thing to happen again. We want peace in Onigbedu and across all the communities along this road.”
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.
“Olowu is here today, and we need action. We believe that for him to have come down here personally, he will fight for us because he is our father and the paramount ruler of Owu Kingdom.
“We believe his visit will bring positive results, and that is what we are expecting.”
