14th August, 2022
By Oluwafemi Ojo
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has warned Ebiras living in Ondo state to flush out the criminals among them.
The warning is contained in a press statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde.
Akeredolu implored the Ebira people, who have lived together with the indigenes of the state for a very long time, not to deviate from their farming trade.
He urged them to join hands with the government to rid the state of criminality.
Speaking at a closed-door meeting with the leaders of the Ebira community, Akeredolu tasked them with shedding light on the June 5 church massacre in Owo and other kidnapping cases in the state.
“We summoned this meeting with our brothers. They are not new here, but because of the recent developments that have to do with the Owo massacre and kidnappings, we have to call ourselves.
“I can assure you all that we have had a very frank discussion and the leader of the Ebiras in Ondo State spoke on behalf of his people.”
“We leave here today with the belief that our brothers, Ebira, that are here, would at the least work to ensure security in Ondo State, and in doing that, we have charged them to discuss with all their people.”
“They have assured us they would do that and we want to call on our people to at least let us continue with our brotherliness and maintain the good relationship we have had with them in the past.
“We believe that it is not those residing here who came to perpetrate this crime. That is what they have said, and we should give them another chance.
“Let us live together in peace and I hope and pray that the Ebiras who are here in Ondo State will work with the government and security agencies to make sure that criminals are flushed out of our midst,” he said.
NAN