By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
In a commendable effort to restore harmony to the town of Shimawa, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Funsho Bamigboye, successfully brokered a peace meeting between Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, elders, and the victims of Bullion Hotel. This meeting aimed to heal the rift that had recently erupted between Ambassador Ajadi’s security officers and the victims.
The pivotal gathering occurred at the Shimawa Police Post on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Here, all parties involved expressed their grievances, and the DPO facilitated a reconciliation discussion. This initiative took place after Ambassador Ajadi’s staff were released from police custody.
Addressing journalists and the attendees, DPO Bamigboye expressed her newfound appreciation for Ambassador Ajadi’s commitment to peace and stability in the community. She said that one of the major purposes of having a police station in any given town is to always restore peace and security amidst any violation of orders.
Furthermore, she emphasized that the recent discord’s key stakeholders had been summoned by the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, CP Abiodun Alamutu, and a Reconciliation settlement had been reached. However, DPO Bamigboye called for this meeting to ensure a complete harmonization.
“I have called for today’s meeting so that all the parties involved in the recent commotion between Ajadi’s security officers and the hotel’s victims can be resolved and we can collectively plan for the development and progress of Shimawa,” she affirmed.
She directly addressed the Shimawa youth, specifically Sogo Oyetola and Micheal Fakoya, encouraging them to promote peace and work in unity with Olufemi Ajadi’s staff for the progress of the town.
Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi expressed his gratitude for the reconciliation talks and commended SP Bamigboye for her motherly role in settling the dispute between his staff and the victims. He pledged his commitment to supporting the police with the resources required to combat crime in the community and vowed to respond promptly to calls for communal assistance.
“I have always been a peacemaker. My business ventures and homes are in Shimawa and these are symbols of peace and harmony for the town,” he stated.
He said, “I have kept the security officers after the election as I felt that most electorates and residents believe that politicians are used to dumping the youths after using them during the election.”
Mr. Omokehinde Olowu, who accompanied Ambassador Ajadi to the peacekeeping meeting, described him as a peacekeeper who had never violated the law. He urged the community to rally behind Ajadi in realizing his political ambitions for 2027, which, he believed, would benefit Shimawa significantly.
Sogo Oyetola, the youth leader of Shimawa, expressed his desire for peaceful coexistence between the town’s indigenous people and those who had acquired land there. He emphasized the importance of everyone being able to sleep in their homes without fear.
In addition, Bolaji Sogunro, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Shimawa, expressed his joy at Ambassador Ajadi’s presence and stressed the need for peace to ensure the town’s prosperity.
Shimawa is now poised to regain its peace and unity, with Ambassador Ajadi, SP Bamigboye and the Shimawa community leader.
Ajadi now called all the youths in Shimawa to showcase good citizenship and stay away from crime and other evil acts that are punishable by law.
“I love you all in Shimawa. I love you all in all local governments in Ogun State. I love you all in Ogun State,” he said.