Modakeke Community Urges Federal, State Intervention To End Attacks

The Modakeke community in Osun State has called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene in stopping frequent attacks by suspected hoodlums on their town. This appeal was made by Prof. Peter Olawuni, President of the Modakeke Progressive Union, after an incident where hoodlums allegedly pulled down a signpost welcoming visitors to Modakeke.

The attack occurred early Tuesday when about 17 hoodlums, reportedly from the Mayfair Area of Ile-Ife, destroyed the signpost at the entrance to Modakeke. Prof. Olawuni condemned the act as provocative and stated that the incident had been reported to local authorities, including the traditional Chief of Staff to the Ooni of Ife, Chief Oyeyemi Oriowo, and the police, in an effort to de-escalate tensions.

Olawuni emphasized the community’s desire for peace and noted that similar security concerns had been raised during previous meetings with Governor Adeleke and his deputy. He expressed frustration over recurring incidents, stressing that the Modakeke community was now seeking immediate intervention from both the federal and state governments to prevent further escalation.

In response, the Secretary of the Ife Development Board, Mr. Lawrence Omidiora, highlighted the importance of dialogue in resolving the issue. Omidiora urged against jumping to conclusions that the perpetrators were from Ile-Ife, pointing out that past acrimony between the two communities may have led to suspicion. He stressed the need for peaceful solutions, stating that violence would hinder development in both Modakeke and Ife.

Omidiora reiterated that dialogue is the only path forward and encouraged both communities to work together to maintain peace and address their differences constructively.