Violence erupts in Ekiti again
By Bisi Olaniyi
Published: Sunday, 1 Feb 2009
Violent protests rocked the ancient town of Ikere-Ekiti of Ekiti State on Saturday over the relocation of the state‘s only College of Education to Faki-Ekiti, the hometown of the state Governor, Mr. Segun Oni.

A 44-year-old, Mr. Ola Alonge, who according to report was the son of one of the high chiefs in the town, Chief Ologotun Alonge, was shot on the chest allegedly by a riot policemen and he died instantly.

The University of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, on January 5, 2009, formally took over the premises of the college of education, with the commencement of academic activities by the pioneer 500 students.

The governor, while presenting his ”State of the State,” address recently, said the establishment of TUNEDIK, which has as Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Bandele, was in fulfilment of his electioneering promise.

The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Chris Ola, confirmed the death of Alonge and the arrest of 20 of the protesters.

More riot policemen were still being deployed in the town as at press time, though the CP claimed that the situation was now under control.

The latest violence came as peace began to return to the state after days of protest triggered by the January 3, assassination of the Assistant General Manager of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Mr. Kehinde Fasubaa, an Ado-Ekiti indigene.

Following the killing of Alonge at Ikere-Ekiti, the second largest town in the state, the protesters, who defied the monthly environmental sanitation, took his corpse to the palace, but the king, Oba Samuel Adegboye, had been spirited away, to prevent any incident.

It is considered a taboo for a Yoruba monarch to see a corpse.

The town‘s chiefs also fled, but the mob laid the corpse on a bench by the palace gate, while the nearby Oba‘s market was sacked, with bonfires made on the road to Akure, the Ondo State capital, thereby halting the movement of motorists and passengers on the ever-busy road.

Barricades were also made on the roads to Ise-Ekiti, Emure-Ekiti, Igbara-Odo-Ekiti and other neighbouring towns, while business outfits and other valuable property of those who supported the college‘s relocation, were either vandalised or destroyed, with commercial activities paralysed.

A building housing a law chamber and a cybercafé, belonging to a member of TUNEDIK‘s governing council, Mr Gani Faniyi, an indigene of Ikere-Ekiti, was seriously vandalised by the mob.

The protesters, carrying placards bearing various inscriptions and chanting anti-government songs, maintained that the relocation of the college, established in 1978, would deprive the town and its inhabitants of income and development.

Policemen from the nearby Ikere-Ekiti Divisional Headquarters were initially attacked and repelled by the rioters, who hurled missiles at them, but they later reinforced and dispersed the protesters, by firing some canisters of tear gas, but the youths were fully prepared for a showdown.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Mr. Segun Oni, has condemned the riot, describing it as ”the last card played by the Action Congress in the state to plunge the town into unwarranted confusion and chaos.”

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications, Mr. Moses Jolayemi, the governor accused the party of teaming up with some elements who were nursing inordinate ambitions for 2011 to foment trouble.

He vowed that the culprits would be dealt with according to the law “without any shadow of doubt.”

He added, “I was thoroughly embarrassed that some black sheep of Ekiti suddenly elected to throw up an issue that had been resolved and settled several months ago, this time in such violent and destructive manner.

”The protest, which was said to have been hinged on the location of The University of Education, Ikere, is uncalled for. Having resolved the issue following due consultations with the leaders and stake holders who all gave their unalloyed support for the siting of the University in their town, I have no doubt that the recent crisis was the handiwork of some failed politicians who did nothing to improve the lives of Ikere people when they had the opportunity to do so.

”We will not allow these illegitimate characters of sullied background and upbringing to take this state back to those dark, horrible days when terror reigned over our land.

”I want to assure everybody in the state that the law enforcement agents are up to the task and will do everything possible to hunt down all the unscrupulous elements who have vowed to unleash terror and hardship on innocent Ekiti people.”

According to Oni, the Police have already made some arrests and will not rest on their oars untill all the culprits are tracked down.

If Adedibu was alive, he would've arrested the situation in Ekiti peacefully.

If Adedibu was alive, he would've arrested the situation in Ekiti peacefully.

earTHMama:

If Adedibu was alive, he would've arrested the situation in Ekiti peacefully.

Sweet T:

I don't know why anybody is surprised about this. Ekiti people have always known to be strong-headed. They fight and argue about everything and anything. This is no news, it's just a reflection of who the are. Awon Omo Alagidi.

Sweet T:

I don't know why anybody is surprised about this. Ekiti people have always known to be strong-headed. They fight and argue about everything and anything. This is no news, it's just a reflection of who the are. Awon Omo Alagidi.

a wizzy:

@duduspace

the Animals are yerning and killing 4 power., the 1 wey dey pain me pass na innocent Fasuba wey dey go murder, an attempt was once made on his brother's life, now him, ah, Eyin awo omo ekiti let gba adura 4 our state oooooooo, umm that state needs prayers,

@ muza
can you please mind your business up north? i wonder why you are always bothered about ekiti.

Ekiti and Osun have very close boundaries and yet the former are known for their killer instinct and violence while the later is known for their hospitality.

I'm beginning to miss Osun and millions of goats roaming the streets of ilesha.

I'm beginning to miss Osun and millions of goats roaming the streets of ilesha.

If you agree with an Ekiti man, he will argue to disagree with you for agreeing with him. Can you imagine that?

@ muza
can you please mind your business up north? i wonder why you are always bothered about ekiti.