EndSARS Destruction in Okitipipa: Ikale Heritage Calls for Collaborative Efforts to Rebuild

While the people of Ikaleland are still licking the wounds of the massive carnage inflicted on the Okitipupa Local Government Area by hoodlums who hijacked the EndSARS protests in Ondo State recently, Ikale Heritage Development Association, IHDA, has warned of the dire consequences of efforts by some people to initiate rebuilding without wide consultations.

Chairman of the Ikale Heritage, Otunba Sola Olatunji commends the efforts of some of the royal fathers in collaboration with some of ‘our sons and daughters to team up with the state government’ but warns that such moves should be all inclusive.

“The wanton destruction of facilities in Okitipupa Local Government is unfortunate and a terrible setback, but we have to liaise with the state government on efforts to rebuild the LG,’ Olatunji said. “I appreciate the concerns of our royal fathers and some of our brothers and sisters but it is better to wait for the government to tell us the cost of rebuilding what was destroyed by the hoodlums.

“We shouldn’t be oblivious of the fact that those facilities also serve our sister Local Government Areas  like Irele, Ese-Odo and Ilaje, There is need for all these LGs to join hands in the rebuilding in conjunction with the Ondo State Government under the leadership of Rotimi Akeredolu SAN  for our collective interest and convenience.”.

The hoodlums set ablaze the Okitipupa and Ode-Aye Police Stations, the headquarters of the LG, the Prison, some private buildings and a lot of buses. But the government is yet to evaluate the level of destruction and cost of rebuilding.

Meanwhile, the Ikale Heritage Development Association is sending a high powered delegation from Lagos to assess the extent of destruction and also hold meetings with the royal fathers and some of the political and business leaders in the area.