Ife Violence: 20 suspects arrested

Law enforcement agents have arrested twenty people in connection with last week’s violence in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola said this yesterday when the senator representing Kano Central, Rabiu Kwankwaso visited him in Osogbo, the state capital.

The governor refuted rumours that Hausas in the state were emigrating, and he also stated that perpetrators of the violence will be duly pubished.

Ogbeni Aregbesola and Rabiu Kwankwaso cautioned the media against spreading sentimental reports that could jeopardise the peace of the country.

He said “I want to appeal to our reporters to be mindful of how they report the crisis so that it won’t lead to a reprisal attack in other parts of the country.

“We should be mindful of what we write and use on our conventional media and social media as well, we need some sense of responsibility from our media houses.

“We are not saying you should not do your job, but you should know that you also have a responsibility of maintaining peace in our society.

“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the Hausa community in Ife and around Osun to embrace peace and continue to live together in unity with their Yoruba hosts.

“Wherever you find yourself is your home and you should ensure it is peaceful.”

Ogbeni Aregbesola noted that while Yorubas may fight one another, they are always protective of and friendly with their visitors. He buttressed his point with the Ife/Modakeke crisis which he said never touched the Hausa community.