The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has declared a 24-hour curfew in Ago-Alaye Town in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to the governor, the curfew became imperative following the unrest, which has engulfed the community in the past few days.
Recall that Ago-Alaye has been the focal point of clashes between the people of Araromi Obu in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state and indigenes of Ikale of Okitipupa Local Government over the ownership of land.
With two deaths and over seven injuries already recorded as well as houses razed in the melee, the people of Araromi-Obu pointing accusing fingers at the Ikales of they described as unnecessary attacks.
Declaring the curfew in the agrarian community, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo, the governor stated that,
“The order follows preliminary reports received in the wake of the violent clash which resulted in the loss of lives and property in the area.
“It is taken in the overall interest of the inhabitants of the area as well as adjoining towns and villages. The need to prevent the unfortunate incident from escalating also reinforces this action.
“All inhabitants in the affected area are enjoined to take maximum advantage of this step being taken by obeying the order. Security agencies are by this action, mandated to enforce the curfew to the fullest,”
Meanwhile, Gbenga Akinpelumi, one of the locals that were attacked during a communal clash in Araromi Obu in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State is dead.
A relative of Akinpelumi, who does not want his name published, disclosed the sad news to the press on Friday.
He said Akinpelumi sustained injuries from the gunshots which penetrated his abdomen.
“Akinpelumi could not survive the surgeries carried out on him by the doctors. Sadly, we lost him at exactly 12: 48 midnight on Thursday,” the relative said on the phone.
Akinpelumi, a farmer, was among those injured and rushed to the Trauma and Surgical Centre, Ondo shortly after the clash between the locals.
The clash which occurred between the people of Araromi Obu living in Ago Alaye town and the Ikale community in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the State.
With the sad development, the death toll in the community has risen to four while the remaining injured are still receiving various treatments in the hospital.
It was gathered on Friday that the residents of Ago Alaye town in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state have now deserted the community over the fear of another attack.
Akeredolu has charged the security agencies to beef up security in the nook and cranny of the community.
The governor has also embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of the communities with a warning that any person found culpable in the violence would be made to face the wrath of the law.
He said, “Our administration will not condone any form of criminalities in the state.”
The governor was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Undie Adie, the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. Zakari Abubakar, and other security chiefs.
When he visited the palace of the Ajobu of Araromi Obu, Oba Aderemi Adelola, the governor assured him of maximum security of lives and property of the people of the town.
He said, “Our government is ready to take action on Ago Alaye community if the violence persists.”
Akeredolu, who said security forces were on the ground to maintain peace and order, commended the monarch for maintaining peace in the community by appealing to the people against a reprisal.
“I have heard that you called your subjects that there should not be any reprisal. You have maintained peace within Araromi community. We thank you for that. We will not allow miscreant to disturb the peace in this community.”
At the palace of Abodi of Ikaleland, Oba George Faduyile, the governor pleaded with the traditional rulers in Ikaleland to caution their subjects.
Akeredolu added that the state government would set up a committee to look into the cause of conflict.
