Indigenes of Modakeke in Ife East local government area of Osun have raised the alarm over uprooting and destruction of a big sign post erected by the community at Obande area of the community by the Ifes.
They however appealed to the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke to call the Ifes to avert another round of crisis in the two communities.
The community members who frowned at the act, alleged that, those responsible for the action, perpetrated it, at the early hours of last Tuesday.
Addressing newsmen on the development on Wednesday in the community, the National President, Modakeke Progressive Union (MPU), Professor Olawuni Peter, stated that, “When, I learnt about it yesterday morning, I had to start calling areas in the community, informing them of the development.
“I reported to the DPO in the area, I called Saoduduwa in Ife. It was after much appeal. We wanted to go yesterday to go and see baba oni but we were told he has but later we will come and see Kabiyesi.”
“After I called the DPO, he said he had informed the area commander. I came here to inspect what happened and I called the area commander too. We should handle the whole situation with intelligence and moderation and that was why we called a meeting at the palace yesterday.
“That is also why they said we should inform you so that you will help us so that if it happens again and there’s a counter reaction,they will not say that Modakeke has started again. We just want people to be informed of what is happening.”
“The demand of Modakeke community is to let peace reign in the community. I think it is becoming too much on us and there are so many things, incidences that are being mooted on Modakeke. There were several occasions where they said our motor must jog into Lagere.
“I think we’ve visited Adeleke two times over this issue of security in both Ife and Modakeke. There was even a time we visited the deputy Governor in his office here to make sure that what they are doing here is provocative.
“It is because we have control over our youths in Modakeke that is why we are on the top of the matter. Immediately I got here yesterday morning, I met the youths and I told them to calm down. Let the elders in the community handle the case.
“The community is seeking the immediate intervention of Adeleke and Tinubu.”
Also, an eyewitness account who preferred anonymity, told our reporter that, “At the early hours of Tuesday,the security guard on ground here told us that some people came from the other side from Ile Ife. They were up to 17 and above.”
According to him, we the perpetrators of the act came, the night guard stated that, they uprooted the sign post but, by here was nothing he could do because, he was alone and, he could be killed, if he challenges them.
“They have been coming before for like 5 months now that they should move the thing before they, eventually uprooted the bill board,” he added.
When contacted for Comment, the Secretary, Ife Development Board, Mr Lawrence Omidiora said, he will investigate the matter.
“This is very strange to me. That thing has been there since last year. It is true that when the structure was erected it elicited anger from the Ife people believing that they were dividing Ile Ife but, there was nothing more than that. I’ve not heard anything about the attack but, I’ll look into it and investigate.”
