Leaders of the Yoruba and Hausa communities in Ojoo, Ibadan, have pledged to work together to maintain peace and support efforts by the Oyo State Government to resolve recent tensions in the area.
The commitment was made after a peace meeting convened by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State to address the situation.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Chairman of the Yoruba Community in Straberg, Ojoo, Chief Solagbade Azeez, said both communities agreed with the resolutions reached and expressed their willingness to cooperate with the government in restoring stability.
Azeez called for the removal of suspected troublemakers and the demolition of makeshift structures in the area, alleging that some occupants were armed and posed a security risk to residents.
He said the government had assured the communities that the shanties would be removed and the occupants evacuated within one week.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Hausa Community in Ojoo, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, described the Yoruba and Hausa residents as one family that had lived together peacefully for years.
Musa said neither community was interested in conflict, attributing the recent disturbance to individuals he described as non-indigenous residents who allegedly came from other areas and aggravated the situation.
He said the Deputy Governor, alongside the Chairman of Akinyele Local Government Area and security agencies, condemned the incident and directed that persons and structures linked to the crisis be removed within seven days.
Musa added that anyone claiming ownership of the disputed land had been asked to provide relevant documentary evidence to support their claims.
He further disclosed that community leaders had signed a memorandum of understanding requiring disputes involving Hausa and Yoruba residents to be channelled through their respective community leaders and reported to the government for resolution.
