Aregbesola Gives Resident Two weeks To Submit Illegal Arms

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”