Again: Fresh Crisis Engulfs Ile-Ife, 10 Reportedly Injured
A fresh violence has reportedly engulfed the ancient town of Ile-Ife, in Osun State.
According to the report, the clash broke out on Friday, March 31 in Ife
North Local Government Area of Osun. No fewer than ten people were
injured in the new violence.
The fresh clash was said to be between the people of Ipetumodu and
Asipa communities in Ife North Local Government Area of the state. The
clash reportedly started on Wednesday evening shortly after an alleged
misunderstanding that broke out after an inter house sports football
competition in the Community High School Ipetumodu, not far away from
Asipa.
Youths from both communities were allegedly involved in the fight. Some
unidentified youths were said to have taken advantage of the face-off
between the students and set ablaze the popular Akinola Market in Asipa a
development that escalated the crisis between the two communities.
Gunshots were reportedly fired into the air to heighten tension in the
area and no fewer than ten persons sustained injuries. Policemen arrived
later to maintain law and order.
According to one of the traditional chiefs who spoke on condition of
anonymity, Asipa community was to blame. He alleged that the other
community turned a mere school riot to community clash to burn the
market.
He also alleged that this was not the first time that such attack would
be carried out against his people. However, a leader of Asipa
community, Julius Ogerinde denied the allegation saying that they were
aggrieved because of the government white paper on the disputed land
which favoured the other community.
“They only used the avenue of the Inter house Sport competition to
perpetrate their grievances and three of our people were shot,” he said.
Mrs. Folashade Odoro the police spokesperson, when contacted confirmed
the clash, saying policemen had been drafted to the area to maintain law
and order and normalcy has since returned to the area. Recall that many
lives and millions of property destroyed in the last clash in Ile-Ife.
This is occurring weeks after a violent clash broke out between the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the town.- The Authority
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