We are not contemplating on any new polytechnic- State govt to Ondo youths

EIGHT policemen deployed to
quell the uprising that erupted in Ile
Oluji area of the state over the
desperate plan by some youths to eject
the traditional ruler, Oba Suulade
Adedugbe from the palace who were
critically wounded have been referred to
the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital in
Ile Ife for medical attention.
They were alleged to have been shot by
the violent youths who invaded the Oba’s
palace.
Meantime, 47 persons have been arrested
by the police over the crisis.
The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of
Ile Oluji is also said to be
hospitalised following the injury he
sustained while trying to quell the
crisis.
This is coming as the state government
yesterday set up a judicial commission
of enquiry to probe the violence that
led to the death of three persons.
According to the Secretary to the State
Government, SSG, Dr. Rotimi Adelola, the
Judicial Commission of Inquiry is to
look into the recent disturbances and
crises in Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo Local
Government of Ondo State, especially the
disturbance of May 27 and 28, 2013 and
or any similar disturbance in Ile Oluji.
It has Justice Nelson Adeyanju as
Chairman, Mr. Ajose Kudehinbu, Chief
Olugbenga Ale as members and Mr.
Fredrick Oye as Secretary
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry is to
“ recommend appropriate sanction, take
stock of the losses or damages
occasioned during the crises, make
appropriate recommendations to
government on the subject of the terms
of references or any other matter
connected with the crises.”
The Commission of Inquiry which has 14
days to submit its findings is to be
inaugurated today, at the Cocoa
Conference Hall of the Governor’s
Office.
Also, the governor, Dr Mimiko yesterday,
at a Democracy Day lecture said the
crisis in Ile Oluji has some undertone
and has nothing to do with the citing of
a Federal institution in the area.
He confirmed that a policeman who was
shot by the youths was operated upon at
OAUTH in Ile Ife, yesterday.
Meantime, soldiers from the 323
Artillery Regiment in the state have
been deployed to the troubled town to
compliment the efforts of the policemen.
Also, the palace of the Oba was said to
have been vandalised by the irate
youths.
There was partial curfew in the town
yesterday as both commercial and social
activities were completely paralysed
following the violence in the town.
Police sources said that the youths
picked up have started fingering their
sponsors and are being detained at the
state SIIB in Akure.
Reports said that the Oba has returned
to the palace and he is under police
protective custody.
The Ondo State Government in a statement
on the crisis signed by the Chief Press
Secretary to the governor, Eni Akinsola,
said there was no truth about a
Polytechnic in Ile Oluji as rumoured by
some people in the community, a rumour
that resulted into a violent protest in
the week.
Akinsola said: “The state is not
contemplating a new polytechnic now as
it is busy repositioning its two
universities in Okitipupa and Akungba
and the polytechnic in Owo.
“ We have also found out that the
federal government has also not decided
on citing any higher institution in the
state now. We are therefore shocked to
hear that the crisis is linked to a
rumoured location of a polytechnic to
and away from the town.”