Mile 12 Violence: Oba of Lagos wants stiff punishment for perpetrators

Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos on Tuesday urged the state government and other relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the mayhem at Mile 12, Ketu are severely punished.

The monarch made the call when he met with the leaders of Hausa and Yoruba communities in the state as well as traditional rulers around Ketu and Ikosi areas.

He said violence with its attendant destruction of lives and property was not acceptable.

He added that those who carried out attacks should be treated as enemies of the state.

“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.

“This is totally unacceptable. Those who did it must be punished,” Oba Akiolu said.

“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,’’ he said.

Akiolu described ethnic clashes in the state as one too many, and urged residents to co-exist with one another peacefully 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 promptly intervene in disputes before they escalated.

“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 plans by the state government to relocate the market to a more suitable location and added that he would support the idea if it would serve the interest of the state.

He commended the government and the police for the safe rescue of the three abducted girls in Ikorodu.

The monarch called on residents to be more vigilant to check the activities of criminals.

Oba Samuel Oloyede of Ikosi thanked Akiolu for holding the meeting, saying it was an opportunity to strategise and find lasting peace at Mile 12.

The traditional ruler said he would engage every party at the Mile 12 market to ensure the unfortunate incident did not recur.

The Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos State, Aminu Yaro, said the incident was unfortunate and promised to constantly engage the leaders of Arewa communities 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.

The March 3 Mile12 violence between the Yoruba and Hausa communities left at least eight persons dead, while several properties were destroyed.

(NAN)