Panel concludes investigation on Ile-ife crisis

By GRACE TOYIN BELLO

The enquiry panel established by the Government of Osun State to determine the real course of the conflict between the Yoruba and the Hausa community in Ile-Ife has finally concluded its investigationsthis Friday.

The crisis, which broke out on March 8, 2017, was reported to have claimed about 46 lives and property worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The panel, after its inauguration on April 19, received several memoranda from those who suffered one material loss or the other, and prayed the panel for compensation.

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The Secretary of the panel, Mr. Bisi Babalola, while fielding questions from journalists after the completion of its mandate, disclosed that the panel had treated 289 of the 406 memoranda it received, promising that those prayers could be addressed in its recommendation to the government.

 “We received 406 memoranda and with the four we have taken today, we have treated 289. I can assure the public that the panel would soon make recommendation to the government in due course.

 “We started sitting on April 19 and we sat for 27 days. Many of those that submitted memoranda have refused to show up before the panel despite announcement and several invitations,” Babalola stated.