Aregbesola Gives Osun Residents One Week Ultimatum To Submit Illegal Guns

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has
given those in possession of illegal arm and
ammunition in the state a seven- day ultimatum
to either surrender the weapons or be ready to
face the full wrath of the law.
According to a statement issued by the
governor’s media aide, Semiu Okanlawon in
Osogbo on Tuesday, Aregbesola gave the
ultimatum while receiving the report of the
Judicial Commission of Inquiry he set up to look
into the crisis between Ipetumodu and Ashipa
communities.
It would be recalled that the two communities
had earlier in the year engaged in skirmishes,
which led to the burning down of some houses.
Some persons were also reported to have
sustained varying degree of injuries during the
clashes.
The governor said, “People with illegal weapons
should voluntarily submit them to relevant
authorities in not more than one week from now
before government begins to fish them out.
“People should live to the dictate of the law, our
government will after the one week ultimatum
embarks on house-to-house search for illegal
weapons so that the state can have peace.
“Whoever is caught after the one week deadline
will face the full wrath of the law because we
are not in a stone age. The state will care for the
weak.
We are admonishing the strong to be mindful of
those that are not strong”.
Aregbesola also called on politicians and persons
with those he called “Private Army” and guards
in the state to immediately disband them.
He warned that the state was entering into an
era where it would be strict on the maintenance
of the rule of law, peace and order.
Earlier, Chairman of the Judicial Commission of
Inquiry into the Ipetumodu-Ashipa communal
crisis, Justice Olajide Falola, said the panel
discovered that the axis was flooded with light
and small arms.
He said, “We have virtually resolved the dispute
between the two communities, especially the
market day issue and boundary. We have also
recommended that some persons be investigated
for possible prosecution.
“There is a proliferation of arms and
ammunition in the axis of the two communities.
Those in possession of guns are reportedly being
protected by elites in the society. We have
recommended that police should take steps to
clean up the area of these dangerous weapons”.