Mr Goke Jatuwase, the Chairman, Ilaje Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, has called for calm in Zion Community following alleged rape and killing of a fruit seller.
Jatunwase made the appeal while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Igbokoda.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the fruit seller, Mrs Roseline Joguntan, was allegedly gang-raped and killed on Jan. 29 on her farmland.
The chairman assured that justice would prevail in the matter as the police and other security agencies were working to arrest and bring perpetrators of the crime to book.
Jatunwase added that he alongside the police, other security agencies and traditional rulers had visited the community to assess the situation in order to calm tension.
He specifically appealed to the youths of the community to disregard insinuation that other tribes among them committed the crime and not to take laws into their hand.
“I have visited Zion Community with security agencies and some traditional rulers over the killing of the innocent woman.
“The police and other security agencies are working hard on the matter and I promise the perpetrators of the crime will be arrested in no distant time to face the full wrath of the law.
“I am appealing to residents of Zion community to allow the law to take its course. Do not take laws into their hands.
“I appeal to both indigenes and non-indigenes not to allow allegations over this matter (crime) to break the peaceful coexistence being enjoyed in the community and the council area at large,’’ Jatunwase said.
NAN also reports that the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Funmilayo Odunlami, had confirmed the incident.
Odulami had said investigations were ongoing to unravel those responsible for the killing of the woman.