Qndo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Thursday last week imposed a 24-hour curfew on Ikare Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state, owing to the outbreak of violent attacks in the community.
Although, this is not the first time that the state government will be imposing a curfew on the hilly town of Ikare-Akoko due to incessant communal clashes in the ancient town.
Amidst the increasing spate of clashes in the town, residents in the community continue to live in fear. The community, formerly known for its serenity and commercial hub of Akokos, is now ‘unofficially’ the headquarters of communal clashes in the state, if not Nigeria.
This is due to the number of related attacks in the community in the last few months.
But the current curfew is coming on the heels that the fragile peace in the ancient town of Ikare Akoko was truncated by two youth groups who have been attacking each other after a new year carnival held in the town.
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that this time, social and business activities in the town predominantly dominated by Muslims were halted in the following clash among youths.
It was gathered that some youths of the community went wild last week Tuesday firing gunshots following a disagreement over the staging of an annual carnival in the community.
It was gathered that many people were feared killed, shops and vehicles allegedly vandalized and burnt down by some hoodlums while banks and other organizations did not open for business for fear of being attacked.
Recalling what transpired that fateful day, a source who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend said, at least, five people lost their lives in the crisis with several others injured.
According to the source, “The crisis started on Monday evening during the new year carnival which was organised by the youths and it later degenerated till this (Wednesday) morning.
“There were gunshots everywhere. There is tension all over the town as I am speaking with you, nobody could go to the shop or market in Ikare.
“Banks too did not open for their customers for fear of hoodlums. Commercial activities in the central areas like Osele market and Obada Market have been paralyzed. Okoja Area, Oloko junction, and Post Office Area up to Lokoja Garage have been deserted while shops and businesses have been closed down. Banks customers, particularly those who came to Ikare from outside towns, were lamenting the bank closure.”
Another source 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.
He said, “You know Ikare is divided and Okoja is like a centre between the two. The Owa Ale people wanted to use the place but Olukare youths stopped them.
“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.
“This morning (Wednesday) the youths mobilised for another attack and the shootings continue. 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 but I learnt some more people have been killed too.”
Also, another source narrated that two lives were lost, houses and shops were razed, and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
According to him, “Youths of Okoja area of the town organised a New Year carnival on Tuesday at the area’s market square.
“Some people went to disrupt the carnival, however, claiming that the organizers 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.
“I have been informed that they are going to my house to burn it and I don’t know what we people of Okoja quarters did to deserve this.”
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.
The monarch said, “When the crisis started on Tuesday and I was informed, I called the attention of the Nigeria Police and commander of the Nigerian Army in the town for peace to reign, which was achieved immediately.
“Unfortunately, on Wednesday, some gun-toting people emerged from only God knows where and started shooting sporadically in the direction of a popular junction close to my palace.
“I have called the Nigerian Army and the Police for their intervention. I am appealing to our people, especially our youths, to shun whatever is capable of disturbing the peace in the town,’’ he said.
Before the imposition of the curfew, one of the prominent youth clubs in the town, Omoye Klob Youth Wing, noted that the incessant clashes have become like a recurrent bad dream keeping them awake at odd hours and making it impossible for them to develop at the pace expected of the town of our standing.
A statement issued by the club condemned the clashes in the strongest terms, describing such as ‘disappointment to a town known for commercial prosperity, industry, and peace will abandon itself to such mindless terror and unease slowing its progress and commerce in the process.
“Yesterday while we were recognizing our prominent sons and daughters at our end-of-the-year celebration for their contributions to the growth and development of Ikare, news filtered in of another communal clash within the town.
“We call on the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to identify the unscrupulous elements fanning the embers of these unrests and bring them to book.
“We are also using this avenue to urge him to get to the root of the matter and find a lasting solution to this lingering crisis once and for all. It is tiring. It is mindless. It is giving us a name we do not wish to be known by.
“We call on all peace-loving and well-meaning indigenes of the town to embrace peace and shun all acts of violence as no society can develop in an atmosphere that is devoid of peace. Otoge ooh! Esin mi ogun!”
However, to avert further destruction of lives and property in the town, Governor Akeredolu, said his decision to impose 24 hours curfew was made at the State Security Council meeting chaired by him.
In a statement made available by his chief press secretary, Richard Olatunde, the governor noted that “This follows the escalated violent clash in the town since Tuesday which has continued unabated, despite the meeting held by the Government and the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh and Owa Ale of Iyometa, Oba Adeleke Adegbite to rein-in their subjects.
“Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order just as investigations are already on to unravel the real cause(s) of the violent clash.
“For emphasis, Ikare Akoko has been closed down for any unauthorized human movement and activity until further notice.”
Also, the state commissioner of Police, Oyeyemi Oyediran, asked the two Monarchs in Ikare-Akoko in the Akoko North East Local Government Area of the State, to sheath their swords.
The Police Chief who visited Owa-Ale of Ikare, Oba. Adeleke Adefemi Adegbite and the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, decried the damages done by the indigenes to themselves.
The CP decried the level of damage done by the indigenes to themselves and encouraged them to live together as one.
In a statement by the Police spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, Oyeyemi commiserated with the people who lost their personal family property to the crisis and promised to apprehend those involved in the wanton destruction in the area.
“One suspect has been arrested in connection with the case. He advised the monarchs to seek the intervention of relevant authorities and the government on issues bordering on boundaries.
“The Monarchs appreciated the CP for his timely intervention and the neutrality of the Police in maintaining law and order.
They both promise to talk to their people and maintain peace.
“The CP is also using this medium to appeal to the people of the state not to take laws into their hands or resolve to self-help but rather channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters, report criminal cases to law enforcement agencies or seek redress in the court of law
“Men of the Tactical Team have been deployed as reinforcement into the community as Ikare- Akoko is currently calm.”
However, Ikare Akoko has a record of periodic communal clashes caused by Obaship tussles. The community is divided into two factions with factions loyal to different monarchs.
The two monarchs, Owa-Ale and Olukare, both in Ikare, had always locked horns over who was superior to the two. While Owa-Ale claims he brought his crown from Ile-Ife and hence superior to Olukare, the Olukare, who is one of the first-class monarchs in the state, see the Owa-Ale as quarter chief.
But recently, the state government elevated Oba Adeleke Adedoyin, the Owa-Ale, to the status of a first-class traditional ruler, making the town have two first-class obas.
Some analysts think that the development should lay to rest, the age-long supremacy battle between the two traditional rulers, but rather, the leadership tussle continued unabated.
While other towns and villages that parade more than one monarch rarely engage in supremacy or territorial battle; of Ikare-Akoko has become a major source of worry to virtually all the governors that have governed the state.
A few months ago, a similar crisis occurred in the town within the Muslim community over the position of the Chief Imam of the community, a crisis that forced the police to lock up the central mosque against attacks.
It took the efforts of the state government and security agencies to calm the nerves and return order among the worshippers.
To ensure sanity, however, governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday, threatened to banish the two monarchs if they failed to call their supporters to order.
Speaking on behalf of the governor while briefing journalists, commissioner for information and orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju,
said the decision was part of the resolutions reached at the State Executive Council meeting today in Akure, the State capital.
Akeredolu also announced the relaxation of the 24 hours curfew imposed on the town following several appeals from people of the town.
According to Akeredolu, “the curfew has been relaxed from dusk to dawn (6 am to 6 pm).
The Council resolved that any further crisis or escalation in Ikare will result in the banishment of the Olukare and Owa-Ale.
“Government also set up a 5-member committee to look into the crisis in Ikare and recommend a resolution on the Okoja issue as well as the Oloko intercession.
“The committee members include Basorun Seinde Arogbofa as the Chairman, Chief Jamiu Afolabi Ekungba as a member, Dr. Tunji Abayomi as a member, Mrs. Oreoluwa Agbayewa member and Mr. Joseph Dele Adesanmi as Secretary.
“This press briefing is about the crisis in Ikare Akoko. The crisis in Ikare has resulted in stringent measures being taken by the government. But in like manner, the curfew has been relaxed a little bit and it will be in effect from 6 am to 6 pm.
“The council resolved that any further crisis or escalation in Ikare will result in the banishment of the Olukare and Owa-Ale.
“The council also decided to look into the history of Okoja which is the bone of contention between the two Obas./The Oloko intercession issue will also be looked into. From now on, the Council has resolved that no one should parade himself as the Olokoja of Okoja, either the one installed by Owa Ale or Olukare.
“All minor chiefs installed by the Olokojas should stop parading themselves as chiefs henceforth. Whoever does so will be arrested and will face consequences”, the commissioner said.
However, whether the effort of the present administration in the state will end the age-long crisis between the two monarchs or not, only God knows.
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