NATION

Ondo politician, two others slain in fresh communal clash

A politician and two others are said to have been killed in the clash that took place in Kuseru area in Ondo State. But the authorities disputed the death toll.

The victims were killed in the communal fight between some Ikale locals in Okitipupa and Oyo/Osun farmers living in Odigbo council area, both in the state. 

The killing of a woman in Kajola area reportedly triggered the latest mayhem between the two communities that have for a long time been hostile to one another. 

But the Ondo State Government has disputed the casualty toll. Adetunji Adeleye, the special adviser to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on security matters, said only two people died in the unrest. 

“There has been an age-long crisis in Koseru between the Oluku family of Ikale in Okitipupa and the Oyo/Osun farmers living in Odigbo local government,” he explained.

Adeleye adds: “The Oyo/Osun are predominantly cash crop farmers. They have been fighting over ownership of the land.

“The fresh crisis erupted when a woman in Kajola was shot.

“We are suspecting a reprisal attack of some Ikale youths who mobilised themselves and launched attack on the unsuspecting Osun/Oyo farmers.

“There is a Councillor representing Oyo/Osun axis that was killed in the fracas. A vigilante member, not Amotekun, was killed.

“Their corpses have been deposited at the hospital.

“Amotekun, Police and the Army maintain vigilance overnight to ensure peace returns. The attackers destroyed more of farmlands.”

Omosanya Funmilayo, the spokesperson for the Ondo Police Command, said the attack was a retaliation on the killing of the woman.

 “Police contingents were quickly dispatched to the scene.

“Corpses of vigilantes were met at the Palace of Bale of Kuseru Village who were said to have been ambushed and killed.

“The Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyediran, visited the scene, urged all parties involved to sheathe their swords and allow police carry out a thorough investigation on what really happened.

“He further ordered that the area commander and DPO of the area to ensure all culprits involved in the arson and murder be arrested and prosecuted accordingly, ” she said. 

 

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