Ilorin – Four people have been killed in a violent clash between members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and Fulani cow dealers at the Kara market, Ajasse-Ipo in Irepodun Local Government area of Kwara state.
The state police command which confirmed the incident in a statement in Ilorin on Saturday said the clash occurred Friday night.
“Information received by the Ajase-Ipo Divisional Police headquarters was to the effect that some OPC members in a convoy of about 20 vehicles were passing through the Kara market where a cow that was being led across the road by its handler broke the side mirror of one of the OPC vehicles.
“This resulted in an argument that eventually escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the OPC members and the Fulani cow dealers in the market.
“Four lifeless bodies of unidentified persons were recovered at the scene,” the statement signed by SP Ajayi Okasanmi, spokesman of the
command said.
The statement said the state Commissioner of police, Tuesday Assayomo , has ordered immediate deployment of a detachment of policemen to the scene to prevent the escalation of the crisis and killing of more people.
It said the four unidentified dead bodies had been evacuated from the scene and deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue while the injured were taken to a nearby hospital in Ajase-Ipo for medical treatment.
The statement said policemen have been stationed at the scene to prevent further break down of law and order.
It assured the people of the state, particularly motorists, that “normalcy has been restored and the road cleared of every barrier created as a result of the crisis.
“The Ajase Ipo-Offa road is now clear for movement of goods and services.
“Therefore, anybody who still goes there to cause lawlessness would be arrested and charged to court.
“The CP has therefore advised that law abiding citizens in the area and commuters should go about their lawful businesses without any fear of attack or harassment,” Okasanmi said in the statement. (vitalnewsngr.com)
