OBA RILWAN AKIOLU of Lagos yesterday spoke on last Thursday’s violence in Agiliti near Mile 12, saying the perpetrators “should be treated as enemies of state.
Demanding that they “should be punished”, the monarch said the violence “is totally unacceptable”.
Oba Akiolu spoke when he met in his palace at Iga Iduganran with Hausa and Yoruba leaders in the state as well as traditional rulers around Ketu and Ikosi.
The monarch said: “At a time when all hands should be on deck to move the state forward, some people rather chose to take innocent lives, destroy properties and unleash terror on some residents of the state. They must be severely punished. Even if my son or my brother is fingered in the violence, he must be made to face the law.
“I am the paramount ruler of Lagos and I will not sit and watch destruction of people’s lives and properties in my domain. The violence is unjustifiable and those behind it should not go scot-free.”
Akiolu said ethnic clashes were becoming one too many in the state, and urged residents to co-exist with one another and be their brother’s keepers.
He said Lagos was a melting pot of ethnic nationalities in the country and wondered why some people incessantly attempted to threaten the diversity of the state.
The monarch urged traditional rulers around Mile 12 and Ketu to give “true leadership” to their subjects and intervene in disputes before they escalate.
“Everybody in the market, whether Hausa, Fulani or Igbo should know that they are there to make a living; and if you are in a place to get something for your family, are you supposed to be fighting?
“This madness must stop. Everybody should live together in peace. The traditional rulers should always relate with their subjects to ensure peace. We do not want violence in Lagos,” he stressed.
Akiolu said he heard of government’s plans to relocate the market to a more suitable place, adding that he would support the move if it would serve the state’s interest.
He praised the government and the police for the rescue of the three abducted schoolgirls in Ikorodu.
The monarch urged the residents to be more vigilant to curb crime.
Oba Samuel Oloyede of Ikosi thanked Akiolu for the meeting, saying it was an opportunity for stakeholders to strategise and find lasting peace at Mile 12.
The traditional ruler said he would engage all stakeholders at the Mile 12 market to avert a resurgence of the violence.
The Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos State, Alhaji Aminu Yaro, described the incident as unfortunate, promising to constantly engage Arewa leaders on peaceful co-existence with their host.
“The incident was unfortunate. We will do our best to talk to everybody on how we can handle things better to avert this kind of problem,” he said.
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