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.
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