The lawmaker representing Ilaje Constituency I in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan, has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to urgently intervene in the recurring violence in Ebiwonjumi community, Ilaje Local Government Area.
Akinruntan, in a statement titled, “Stop the Violence in Ebiwonjumi: Government Must Act Now to Protect Lives and Property,” condemned what he described as the third reported attack on the community, warning that the continued violence had resulted in deaths and destruction of property.
He said the attacks had led to the destruction of houses, boats, boat engines, fishing equipment and other means of livelihood, describing the development as a threat to residents whose survival largely depends on fishing and other riverine economic activities.
The lawmaker said residents of Ebiwonjumi had the right to live peacefully and pursue their livelihoods without fear, stressing that longstanding relations between Ilaje and Itsekiri communities should not be destroyed by recurring disputes.
He urged the Ondo State Government, in collaboration with the Federal and Delta State governments, to strengthen security in Ebiwonjumi and other affected coastal communities while ensuring a thorough investigation into the reported attacks.
Akinruntan also called for the prosecution of anyone found culpable, irrespective of ethnic, political or community affiliation, insisting that disputes involving land and territorial claims should be resolved through dialogue, historical evidence and lawful processes rather than violence.
He appealed for humanitarian assistance for families affected by the destruction, noting that the loss of boats, engines, fishing equipment and homes had deprived many residents of their means of survival.
The lawmaker further urged traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, women and youth representatives from Ondo and Delta states to establish a sustainable dialogue mechanism for resolving the dispute, warning that no land or economic interest was worth the loss of innocent lives.
Akinruntan appealed to residents and community leaders to shun retaliation and inflammatory statements, urging the government to act swiftly to restore peace, protect lives and property, and enable affected residents to return safely to their homes and livelihoods.
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