Police Arrest 32 Suspects Over Communal Clash In Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 32 suspects in connection with the communal clash that occurred at Iwaro in Akoko South West local council area of the state.

LEADERSHIP recalls that no fewer than two people lost their lives while many others sustained varied degrees of injuries in the communal clash that rocked the community on Monday.

It was gathered that the crisis that engulfed three-quarters in the local government was caused by age-long land disputes.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, CSP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya disclosed that 32 suspects had been moved to the state headquarters in Akure, the state capital in connection with the crisis.

Odunlami-Omisanya said investigation into the crisis had begun to unravel the root cause of the violent clash.

“Yes, 32 suspects have been arrested in connection with the communal clash that occurred in the Akoko area on Sunday. All the suspects are in our custody, and the investigation is ongoing to unravel the causes of the clash,” Odunlami-Omisanya said.

Members of Owake Community had reportedly gone to install signposts along Ikun Road, following an Appeal Court judgment that confirmed their ownership of the disputed land when the violence broke out.

The affected persons were reportedly ambushed by suspected thugs who launched a violent attack on them, leaving many injured, while two people lost their lives.

Properties, including homes and community structures were destroyed during the incident.