Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has described as unfortunate, the breakdown of law and order between two communities in Lekki area of the state. He enjoined the warring parties to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance.

Speaking at Oniyanrin, during an on-the-spot assessment of the two communities, Governor Ambode stated that it is rather unfortunate that at a time Lagosians and friends of Lagos are celebrating 50 years of the state’s creation, communities that had cohabitated peacefully decided to resolve little differences in a very violent way.

Onirayin and Ilagbo communities in Ibeju-Lekki area of the state have long been at loggerheads, recently snowballing into a major fracas, resulting in the burning of properties and allegedly resulted in the death of two people. Relative peace has however returned to the two communities following the intervention of government and law enforcement agencies.

Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Oluseye Oladejo, the Governor reminded the communities of government’s huge investment in these communities, advising them that no meaningful development can take place in any area noted for violence or breakdown of law and order at the slightest provocation.

Ambode frowned at the level of lawlessness exhibited by the people of the two communities. He said: “I am not happy with what I have seen here in terms of destruction of properties and equally the loss of lives; we have invested a lot in these communities and many local and international businesses are still coming but we will be scaring them away if we choose to resolve our differences through violent means, which is not what our dear state is known for.”

“You have lived together for many years. I was even told you have inter-community marriages. Therefore, we should explore peaceful means to resolve our disputes and if tempers continue to rise, especially amongst our youths, the traditional and religious leaders should play the role expected of them in ensuring amicable resolution of disputes within communities.”

The Governor noted that the State Government has invested heavily in improving the capacity and capability of the security agencies to combat crime, saying: “Our Security Agencies can boast of Land, Sea and Air capabilities to tackle militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes. So this sort of communal clash is a needless distraction which will no longer be tolerated.”

Ambode described the axis as the future of Lagos. He stressed that both government and individual private investors have invested heavily in the area and warned that the present administration will not allow such communal clashes to threaten the various investments.

“Government shall not shy away from its duties of protecting the lives and properties of law abiding citizens as well as punishing whoever threatens the investments and the peaceful coexistence among people in this area,” he stated.

While assuring the people of the area that law enforcement agents have been directed to ensure that there is peace within the area, he commiserated with the people who lost their loved ones as well as those whose properties were destroyed in the fracas.

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