Newsbreak: Five killed as Modakeke, Ife elders meet to avert fresh crisis
By Babatunde Akete
What could have been another major crisis between Yoruba historic city Ile-Ife and Modakeke was averted today following the killing of five people said to be of Modakeke extraction.
Irohinoodua was informed today that Modakeke youths came out with weapons this afternoon with the hope of attacking Ife save the quick intervention of elders from both sides and the police authorities in the area.
Our correspondent was informed that the five people from Modakeke were shot dead at Jabata Alape Village prompting the youths to bring their corpses to the palace of the traditional ruler of Modakeke, Moses Oladejo Oyediran, the Oba of Modakeke, who promptly summoned a meeting to find out the cause of the deaths.
‘The youths came out with weapons to attack Ife, but there was quick intervention by elders from both sides and the police to prevent break down of law and order’, Olu Amao a resident of Modakeke told Irohinoodua today.
Our correspondent was informed that the Ooni of Ife, HRM Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi was not in his palace when the incidence took place. Sources said however, scores of Ife Chiefs and youth leaders had a meeting at the Ooni’s palace to deliberate on the issue. One of those who attended the meeting told Irohinoodua that the Ife elders were deeply concerned.
“The shooting cannot be traced to any Ife person. They were killed in a village, so the Moadakeke youths brought their corpses to the palace of the King. Ife knows nothing about this. We feel sorry for the loss of these Yoruba people. They are our people. We suspect third parties trying to provoke Ife and Modakeke into conflict. We won’t allow this to happen” Sunday Agunbiade, a top official of Ife Vigilante group told our correspondent.
He said the traditional rulers of both communities are in touch and would not allow the incidence to escalate. “This looks like the handiwork of those who want to provoke crisis in Ife. I can assure you that Ife and Modakeke elders and youths wont allow this to happen” Arogundade said. He said for the past months, Ife and Modakeke people have expressed concern about strange people visiting the communities. He said he has confidence that the state and federal governments will address the issue.
He also confirmed that five people of Modakeke extraction were killed. He added that the police and other relevant security agencies were on top of the situation.
” There is calm. There is not going to be another Ife Modakeke crisis. We are children of Oduduwa. We must avert any war at this time” Arogundade said. He said the state Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has been briefed adding that normalcy has returned to the communities.
Modakeke is a town in Osun State. The people are also known as Akoraye. The latest crisis between Ife and Modakeke was between 1997 and 2000 over the creation of local government by the then military government. The crisis led to the death of several people and the destruction of properties on both sides. Since 2000, efforts have been made to sustain peace in the area.
