Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, experiences gunfire during the New Year’s carnival.
On Wednesday, sporadic gunfire sent inhabitants fleeing to safety at Ikare-Akoko, the administrative center of Ondo State’s Akoko North-East Local Government Area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learned that on Tuesday, when young people from a particular area of the town had a New Year celebration, gunfire started.
According to a local, two people were killed, homes and businesses worth millions of naira were damaged, and two lives were also lost.
“On Tuesday, the market square in the Okoja neighborhood of the town hosted a New Year’s carnival.
However, several individuals proceeded to disrupt the carnival, saying that the organizers did not get permission from the Owa-Ale of Ikare, the traditional monarch.
“They destroyed several stores while burning the homes of the Olokoja, a high chief of the quarters, and another chief.
I don’t know what we residents of Okoja Quarters done to deserve this, but I’ve been told they’re going to burn down my home, he added.
The Owa-Ale of Ikare, Oba Adeleke Adedoyin-Adegbite, told NAN that there had been no casualties and that he had asked security personnel in the town to maintain calm.
“After being made aware of the problem on Tuesday, I promptly alerted the Nigeria Police and the town’s commander of the need for calm, which was quickly accomplished.
“Unfortunately, on Wednesday, a group of armed individuals appeared from nowhere and began firing randomly in the direction of a busy intersection near to my castle.
“I have requested assistance from the Nigerian Army and Police. I’m pleading with our people, particularly our young people, to avoid anything that would upset the tranquility in the community, he stated.
The Olukare of Ikare and the Owa-Ale of Ikare, the two traditional rulers in the town, have been engaged in a power struggle throughout the years, according to NAN.
The Owa-Ale was given first class traditional ruler status by the state government in August 2022, giving the town two first class obas.
Ondo State police spokesman SP Olufunmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya confirmed the most recent two-day skirmish to NAN and said that no casualties were reported.
“To the best of my knowledge, there had been no casualties reported at all.
The town is being patrolled by police and military to preserve law and order, and the warring groups have been advised to keep the peace, according to Odunlami-Omisanya.
