Ondo Police Commissioner, Mr Bolaji Salami
Two persons have been feared killed in a communal clash between angry youths of Ude and Isinigbo communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, who engaged themselves in a bloody fight that resulted also in the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The palace of the traditional ruler of Ude town, Chief Sunday Boboye, was vandalised and set ablaze as the monarch fled.
According to a source, the fight was connected with land disputes between the two communities, as the Ude traditional ruler allegedly claimed to own part of Isinigbo community.
The Oluomo of Isinigbo, Chief Oluwole Kareem, said his community protested to stop the continued demolition of houses by the Ajagun of Ude (Boboye).
He said, “Boboye came to us that we were occupying the land illegally. He said he had won the case. He first came and demolished over 50 houses. We protested, but the government did not do anything. His lawyer said he was not aware of the demolition. If he had won the case, he was supposed to give us time for dialogue. He did not give us that chance.
“Some people bought land here 15 years ago. He placed a sign board and renamed our community New Ude Estate. Isinigbo has been in existence for more than 800 years. He wants to make our place an extension of Ude.”
Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed the incident, but said nobody was killed.
He said normalcy had been restored in the communities, while investigation had commenced into the incident.
Efforts to reach Boboye were unsuccessful, as his telephone line was not reachable as of the time of filing this report.
Roads leading to both communities were sealed off with bonfires as many shops owners quickly closed and ran for their lives.
When journalists visited the area, residents were not seen outside even as some youths were sighted with dangerous weapons.
Kareem said that his kinsmen were surprised when a case the Isinigbo community had won in 2012 was taken to another court by Boboye and judgment was secured in his favour.
His words: “Last Thursday, he went to demolish over 150 buildings including my house. He is used to bringing thugs and fake policemen. Apart from demolishing our houses, he turned himself to a robber. After demolishing my house, he took my monkey I have been training for the past 15 years. He also took my brother’s goat.
“He has been threatening us. People said we have been cool with him to allow him demolish our houses. People have bought land here for over 15 years ago. He placed sign board and renamed our community the New Ude Estate. Isinigbo has been existing since over 800 years. He wants to make our place an extension of Ude.
“We came out for peaceful demonstration to let the government know our plight. The state government should intervene.”
Boboye could not be reached for comments.
Punch/Today NG
