The number of casualties in the communal crisis rocking the two communities of Ikale and Araromi Obu in Ondo state increased to four on Thursday.
Two people were confirmed dead in a hospital on Thursday morning, with the two communities losing two people from each side.
The state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, on Thursday, however, read the riot act to the two communities, warning that the present administration in the state would not condone any act of criminality.
Akeredolu who visited the communities involved in the fracas said whoever is found culpable in the crisis that rocks the area will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Akeredolu who issued this warning while on a visit to the communities to access the level of destruction, ordered a 24-hour curfew on Ago-Alaye town as part of the measures to prevent the escalation of the violence.
Speaking at the Palace of the Ajobu of Araromi Obu, the governor assured the monarch and the people of the town of maximum security of lives and properties, saying the state government would not hesitate to deal with anybody found culpable if the violence persists.
He assured every abiding resident of the community that security operatives would be on the ground to maintain peace and order, while he commended the Ajobu of Araromi Obu, Oba Aderemi Adelola, for maintaining peace in the community, by appealing to the people against a reprisal attack.
Akeredolu said: ” When we heard about the disturbance at Ago Alaye, we made our decision to make sure that total curfew imposed on Ago Alaye is in place. Luckily for them, they have deserted the place
“I have heard that you called your subjects that there should not be any reprisal. You have maintained peace within Araromi community. We thank you for that . We will not allow miscreant to disturb the peace in this community. ”
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Addressing the youths in the town, Akeredolu pleaded with them not to take laws into their hands while he vowed to bring the perpetrators of the criminal acts to book.
He said the government will not fold its arms and allow criminals to perpetrate crimes by unleashing terror against a whole town
The governor advised the youths to cooperate with the security agents on the ground and also help them in course of their investigations so as to apprehend those involved in the unfortunate incident.
Akeredolu, however, pleaded with the youths not to embark on any reprisal attack, urging them to continue to promote and maintain peace in the town.
Oba Adelola commended the governor for his prompt action and the on the spot assessment, with an assurance that people and residents of the community will continue to remain calm and cooperate with the security agents.
The governor who also visited the Palace of Abodi of Ikale land, Oba George Babatunde Faduyile, pleaded with the traditional rulers in Ikale land to call their subject in Ago Alaye to order.
The governor disclosed that the state government will set up a committee to look into the involvement of the two sides of the conflict, warning that his administration will not tolerate criminality under any guise, stressing that whoever is found culpable in the Ago Alaye crisis will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The governor, who was in the town to access the level of destruction, was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Undie Adie, the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Zakari Logun Abubakar and other security chiefs.
Governor Akeredolu was conducted round the Ago Alaye community where he accessed the destruction and burning of houses in the area
It will be recalled that Akeredolu had on Wednesday night ordered a 24-hour curfew on Ago-Alaye town as part of the measures to prevent the escalation of the violence.
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