21st August, 2021
PRESS RELEASE:
MODAKEKE KILLINGS: LISTEN TO OONI’S APPEAL - MURIC
Five farmers of Modakeke extraction were allegedly
killed yesterday, Friday, 20th August, 2021. The victims were on
their way to the farm when they were reportedly ambushed in a village situated
between Ife and Modakeke. Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye
Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has appealed to the two communities for calm while an
Islamic non-governmental organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has joined
the Ooni in appealing to the people to embrace dialogue.
MURIC’s intervention was contained in a press
release issued by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 21st
August, 2021.
MURIC said:
“Five Modakeke farmers were allegedly killed yesterday,
Friday, 20th August, 2021. The victims were on their way to the farm
when they were ambushed in a village lying between Ife and Modakeke.
“We are glad to note that the Ooni of Ife,
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has appealed to the people for calm. We hereby
join His Imperial Majesty to appeal to both sides to embrace dialogue. The
situation must not be allowed to escalate.
“With ‘Dialogue, No Violence’ as the motto of
MURIC, our organisation cannot ignore any outburst of violence anywhere in the
country. We therefore appeal to the Ife and Modakeke people to simmer down. We
call on the youths on both sides to focus their attention on issues which can
bring development to the two communities.
“We commiserate with the families of victims
of yesterday’s tragic incident. We pray that Allah will give them the fortitude
to bear the loss. However, we appeal to them to exercise patience and
forbearance. We remind them that vengeance is a square peg while the first
offence is a round hole. What we seek to avenge is never what we get in the
end. But it raises one to the pedestal of saints and angels to forgive and
forbear.
“Already, different versions of the incident are
being spread on social media and some newspapers. That is why we must bring the
situation under control. We therefore call on all stakeholders to cooperate
with the security agencies who have since waded into the matter.
“Reports that about 100 Modakeke youth on
motorcycles allegedly stormed Ile-Ife before they were stopped by Ife youths is
very disturbing. That was exactly how Offa and Erin-Ile communities clashed
recently. Ugly incidents like these are symptomatic of a desertification of
unity of purpose and lack of mutual trust among the Yoruba.
These clashes create food for thought for
those who are agitating for the creation of Oduduwa Republic. Is this how the
components of Oduduwa Republic will always be at one anothers’ throats? Are
they really ready to opt out of Nigeria?
“Ife and Modakeke are so close that people
inside their houses in Ile-Ife can fetch water from houses in Modakeke and vice
versa. The space between the two communities is a matter of six meters, not one
hundered, talk less of one kilometer! Why will neighbours who are so close, who
share the same language, the same boundary and the same environment not
tolerate one another?
“This is why we commend the current Ooni of Ife, Oba
Adeyeye Ogunwusi, for his peace-making efforts. It is on record that the Ooni
made peace moves towards Modakeke immediately he was crowned as king. Not only
that, he toured major Yoruba cities and visited the royal fathers in an effort
to unite the Yoruba people.
“We appeal to the youths of Ife and Modakeke to
give Ooni’s initiative a breathing space. Dialogue is the way forward. Both
sides must avoid mutual suspicion. No community can make progress in an
atmosphere of insecurity. Schools and businesses will be shut down whenever
there is a clash. Such disruption of socio-economic life drags communities back
to the Stone Age. A word is enough for the wise.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC)
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