Ondo State Government has urged fleeing indigenes and residents of riverine communities to return to their normal places of abode and continue with their lawful businesses without fear.
This was coming after women and children were seen fleeing their communities following a purported plan by Ijaw youths to avenge the murder of one of their kinsmen from Akpata in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the State.
The Government in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Richard Olatunde, condemns the criminal act that leads to the killing.
The statement added that security agencies have been directed to get to the root of the alleged crime and investigations are already on in respect of this development.
“The Governor prays all communities, including those perceived to have been hurt, to refrain from any act in the direction of self-help. Such shall not be tolerated in any manner.
“Government accordingly, appeals to all persons of goodwill, particular action Traditional Rulers as well as Religious Leaders of the affected areas, to rein in their subjects to avoid unnecessary conflict in the relatively peaceful riverine areas of the State.
“Nonetheless, the Government is not oblivious to the fact that certain persons, especially politicians, are striving hard to heighten the tension with a view to deriving imaginary political advantages. This is not just condemnable. It is criminal and wicked that such acts targeted to deepen derive are being oiled for political gains.”
However, the people of both Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas were enjoined to be vigilant so as not to be misled by persons who do not mean well for them.
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