Oyo Govt orders closure of Ibadan market, imposes curfew

 

From Stella Obi, Ibadan

Oyo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Shasha Market indefinitely following skirmishes reported at the market in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicates that the governor gave the order to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area and equally imposed a curfew on Shasa and the market area.

The curfew is to run from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The statement warns residents of the affected area to go about their legitimate businesses peacefully; stating that anyone caught perpetrating violence will face the wrath of the law.

The statement reads: “His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde has directed the immediate closure of Shasha Market indefinitely following reports of a breach of peace in the area.

“The governor has also approved the imposition of curfew on Shasa. It will run from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“Residents of the affected area are enjoined to go about their legitimate businesses within the hours stipulated by the law. 

“Anyone caught disrupting the peace of the community will be made to face the wrath of the law.”

Meanwhile, security agencies deployed to maintain peace and stability around Shasa and its environs are patrolling the area to forestall possible break down of law and order.

Residents of the community appealed to federal and Oyo State governments to proffer lasting solution to the crisis between the two major communities in the market.

Also, a member of the Hausa community opined that solution should be found to ensure peaceful co-existence between Yoruba and Hausa living in harmony and unity.

Oyo State Police Commissioner, Mrs Ngozi Onadeko through the PPRO, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi appealed for calm between the aggrieved parties as anyone found fomenting trouble would be prosecuted.

In the meantime, Oyo State Government has announced curfew in Shasha Market and the entire area from 6pm till 7am to ensure peace and stability in the area.

Governor Seyi Makinde in a statement in Ibadan promised to address issues causing crisis between Yoruba and Hausa to ensure peaceful co-existence between them. 

Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in the clash that occurred between the Yoruba and Hausa communities at Shasha in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State yesterday.