T he hilly town of Ikare Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast Local Government Area of the state, has a disturbing history of communal clashes. Its peaceful ambience was once more cut short recently by two youth groups, fighting each other following a disagreement over staging of an annual carnival in the community.
The community is divided into two factions loyal to different monarchs. The two monarchs, Owa-Ale and Olukare, both in Ikare, had always locked horns over who was superior among the two.
But recently, the state government, elevated Oba Adeleke Adedoyin, the Owa-Ale, to the status of a first-class traditional ruler, giving the town two first-class obas. This recent development, rather than water down the age-long supremacy battle has worsened it.
A source who preferred anonymity, told me that at least, five people lost their lives in the crisis with several others injured. “The crisis started on Monday evening during the New Year carnival organised by the youths, and it later degenerated two days after. There were gunshots everywhere. nobody could go to the shop or market in Ikare.
“Banks too did not open for fear of hoodlums. Commercial activities in the central areas like Osele Market and Obada Market, have been paralysed. Okoja Area, Oloko junction, and Post Office Area up to Lokoja Garage, have been deserted while shops and businesses have been closed down.”
Another source simply called John, attributed the crisis to the ongoing cold war between the two traditional rulers in the community- the Olukare of Ikare and Owa-Ale of Ikare – saying the two warring groups were alleged loyalists of the two monarchs.
“You know Ikare is divided and Okoja is like a centre between the two. When the Olukare wanted to use the place for the carnival on Tuesday, the Owa-Ale people stopped them and there was a crisis. The shooting was much that the town became deserted.
“On the third day, youths mobilised for another attack and the shootings continued. Many shops have been closed down but the police have intervened. I saw at least two people shot dead during the fracas and many others injured. However, I learned some more people have been killed too.”
Another source said properties worth millions of naira were destroyed, after disruption of the carnival, 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 Owa-Ale of Ikare, Oba Adeleke Adedoyin-Adegbite, said there was no casualty and that he had informed security operatives in the town to ensure peace.Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who had earlier imposed a 24-hour curfew on the town later relaxed it to dusk to dawn curfew, stating that his administration would banish any of the monarchs if they failed to rein in their supporters.
