House of Representatives seeks punishment of Shasha mayhem culprits

Youths minister urges peace, NEMA to provide relief for victims

The House of Representatives has insisted that those found wanting in the Shasha market violence must be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, who announced this in an address on the violence and the rising spate of inter-ethnic violence in the country at plenary, directed the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a speedy and thorough investigation into the mayhem responsible for the death and destruction of property worth billions of naira.

Gbajabiamila, who mandated the Committees on Police Affairs and Justice to communicate the House’s position to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), also said the House welcomed the committee constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari to hold peace and unity consultations across the country.

While commiserating with the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident, the government and the good people of Oyo State, the Speaker assured all Nigerians that the House would work, “within the powers available to us, to prevent reoccurrence of similar incidents, not just in Oyo State, but across our country – North, West, East and South.”

Describing the House as a microcosm of Nigeria, which represents every tribe, region, creed and religion, Gbajabiamila said: “We owe a duty to the people we serve to do the things we believe sincerely in our hearts can improve the circumstances of their lives.”

Gbajabiamila, therefore, urged all those who have large followership of people who listen to them and respect their voices, to be more circumspect about the information they share, the language they use, and the conversations they enable.

MEANWHILE, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has urged the different tribes and groups living in Oyo State to maintain peace and cordiality that had characterised decades of their peaceful and flourishing co-existence in the state.

Dare asked both ethnic groups embroiled in the clash to sheath their swords and stop any further provocative actions and utterances capable of causing any form of unrest.

The minister, who expressed his displeasure at the unbridled insecurity in the state, told the residents to see themselves as one family and eschew violence.

He said: “I, therefore, call on the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to provide much-needed succour and assistance to all Nigerians affected in the Shasha crisis.”