By Evelyn Usman

For two weeks,Ajegunle, a densely populated suburb of Lagos, was in the news following eruption of a violent clash which led to the death of two persons, with scores of others injured. Five persons were consequently arrested, with the Police informing that the fight was between Ajegunle 1 and Senior Guys groups.

But in a sharp reactions to Police claim, members of both groups outrightly denying any form of involvement in the fight, saying it was between Alabiagba and Iyalode youths.

However, in an attempt to end the feud which has thrown residents of the community into constant fear, members of AJ 1 and Senior Guys associations organised a peace resolution meeting last week Thursday, where representatives of both warring factions were present.

Nwabueze Obinna (4th right), Daddy Showkey(m) and members of Senior Guys, AJ 1 and youths from Iyalode and Alayabiagba after the parley

The meeting which afforded them an opportunity to address the contentious issue, was also among other things, aimed at forestalling further killings and destruction of property in the area, as well as provide a forum where grievances would be channeled and addressed before they degenerate into a clash.

The meeting had in attendance the Vice Chairman of the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government, Nwabueze Obinna , the speaker for the council, Hakeem Suleiman, the majority leader, Saheed Abiola, traditional heads and popular music icon from Ajegunle, Daddy Showkey.

The Vice Chairman who expressed disappointment over the worrisome development, called on the need for both parties to embrace peace. He also urged them to remain determined and to focus on their dreams, noting that was the only way they could move the community forward.

Obinna who used the opportunity to recall his growing up days in the area, revealed that he had to take to scavenging in order to buy books for his studies. Pointing out that though this did not prevent some of his youthful misdemeanours, he said: “ I was focused and determined that I would make it in life. Today, to the glory of God, I am achieving some of those dreams. So, rather than fighting each other, you must remember that people are looking up to you today; therefore, you must not afford to fail them”. He also reminded them that the consequences of their actions, whether good or bad, would definitely impact on others.

On his part, the local government’s Majority Leader, attributed one of the causes of friction anf fracas in the area to the excessive display of youthful exuberance and urged those concerned to love another other. “If there is no love between us , there won’t be achievement of our goal. We must do everything possible to enable us to stand as one as a community to be reckoned with. We have been co-existing joyfully before now and that should be continue,” he said. He also expressed gratitude to the Senior Guys and AJ 1 associations for organising the peace talk.

Also speaking, the Council speaker emphatically stated that the fight was not between the Senior Guys and AJ 1 associations as widely reported, even as he called on both parties to bear in mind the effect of their actions on the area as a whole. Noting that the Armoured Personnel Carrier positioned at the entrance and exit points of the local government was enough to send a fearful signal down the spine of any visitor to the area, he said: “Aside that, is the impression given to people around and outside the country. Ajegunle is a peaceful place and that peace must be maintained if we must develop the area”.

After everyone had listened with rapt attention to both sides complaints, the Ajegunle ambassador, Daddy Showkey, rose up to calm frayed nerves, pointing out that crisis would not take them to the next level of progress. His personal investigation, he said, traced the root cause of the fracas to allegations and counter-allegations. He therefore, called on the need to verify any information to ascertain its authenticity before action is taken. “If any claim is without proof, then it is baseless,” he said.

AJ 1 Association, he hinted, was his personal idea aimed at resolving issues before they escalate. But the need for another body to over see and take issues from the grass root to government in order to attract dividends of democracy, according to him, necessitated the formation of Senior Guys association.

He said even though he has left the area: “I am proud to identify myself anywhere in the world that I grew up in Ajegunle,”. He said he disagrees with the claim that the area was prone to violence and crime, adding: “Crime is everywhere in the world, so nobody should think that Ajegunle is a crime prone area. My appeal is for there to be peace. Let us settle and think of how to forge ahead. After all, one of the current governors lived here. If he made it, you too can make it”.

At the end of the parley, both parties resolved to bury the hatchet and allow peace to reign. A representative from Alayabiagba, Lanre Bawahala, expressed gratitude to the mediators, asserting thus: “This is the best government we have ever had. At least, finding time to send people in government to us is a sign that it is a responsive government”. He, therefore, begged for forgiveness on behalf of his party for causing disturbance in the area, promising that, henceforth, they would channel their complaints through the right channel.

He, however, called on the local government to prevail on the Police to release one Niyi Korole who was arrested alongside four others in connection with the crisis, saying he was not in any way involved. Spokesperson for Iyalode, Samson also promised that his camp would harken to the voice of counsel, noting, however that the cause of the fracas was not enough to fight over in the first place. Attributing their action to the handiwork of the devil, he agreed with his Alabiagba counterpart to always state their grievances in the right quarters.

Representatives of Senior Guys and AJ 1,Egbayelo Abiola and Tunde Abass, respectively, who called for the peace meeting, expressed gratitude to the invited mediators, promising to always use such forum to settle dispute among youths in the area.