Ondo state government imposes curfew in Ikare over communal clash

The Ondo State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast Local Government Area, for any unathourised human movement and activity until further notice.

Penpushing reports that a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olabode explained that the order follow clashes at an annual carnival in the community, stressing that the curfew was with immediate effect.

The statement added that the decision to impose the curfew was taken at a State Security Council meeting presided over by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, emphasizing that security agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order

“This followed the escalated violent clash in the town since Tuesday, which has continued unabated, despite the meeting held by Government and the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh and Owa Ale of Iyometa, Oba Adeleke Adegbite to rein-in their subjects,” the statement said.

“Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order just as investigations are already on to unravel the real cause(s) of the violent clash. For emphasis, Ikare Akoko has been closed down for any unauthorised human movement and activity until further notice”, Olabode said

Penpushing further reports that it was learnt that youths of the community went wild on Tuesday firing gunshots following a disagreement over the staging of an annual carnival in the area, and that two people were reported dead, with several houses and shops set ablazed.

The source from the community said youths of Okoja area of the town organized a new year carnival on Tuesday at market square where some alleged thugs distrupted the ceremony,claiming that the organisers did not take approval of the monarch ruler of Owa-Ale of Ikare.

“Youths of the Okoja area of the town organised a New Year carnival on Tuesday at the area’s market square. Some people went to disrupt the carnival, however, claiming that the organisers did not obtain approval from the traditional ruler, the Owa-Ale of Ikare. They burnt the house of the Olokoja, a high chief of the quarters, and that of another chief, while many shops were razed”, the source said

Penpushing also reports that, Oba Adeleke Adedoyin-Adegbite, who is the traditional ruler of the town, however,said on Wednesday that there was no death arising from the clash and that he had informed security operatives in the town to ensure peace.

The history has it that, there had been a supremacy contest between Owa-Ale and the Olukare of Ikare, the two traditional rulers in the town over the years, while it is recalled that in August 2022, Ondo  State Government elevated the Owa-Ale to the status of a first-class traditional ruler, making the town have two first-class monarchs, while the elevation of the Owa-Ale, was said to have  raised the rivalry to a new high.

Penpushing reports that Ondo State Police Command Public Relations Officer Olufunmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, when contacted confirmed the clashes but denied knowledge of any loss of life as the attack lasted.

‘No casualty whatsoever had been recorded to the best of my knowledge. The warring parties have been warned to maintain peace, policemen and soldiers are patrolling the town to ensure law and order within the area.”

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