The police in Ekiti State on Monday confirmed two persons killed in a bloody violence which broke out in Ire Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area, when irate youths violently protested the ban of this year’s celebration of the annual traditional ogun onire festival by Oba Victor Bobade in compliance with the State government order.
Police spokesman, Mr. Sunday Abutu, an assistant superintendent, ASP, confirmed the violence, saying two persons were killed during the bloody clash contrary to three being rumoured.
His words: “Yes, there has been crisis there since Sunday. We have been trying to quell it. Some group of youths came to the palace and attacked the palace, destroyed things and burnt some vehicles that belonged to the king.
“We got a distress call and had to mobilise policemen there and we were able to rescue the chiefs from the palace. We are still monitoring the situation.
“The people were protesting and probably, disagreement from factions that are there, led to the death of those persons. But investigations are on. Those who were involved in the act will be arrested and brought to book.
“I can confirm that on my desk here, I have two dead and their bodies have been deposited in the morgue. We have been able to arrest one of the gang leaders and he is in our custody right now.”
It was gathered that the violence was sparked by an attempt by the Onire of Ire-Ekiti, in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti, Oba Victor Bobade, to enforce a recent government ban on traditional festivals and Towns Annual Day celebrations over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Government had, in continuation of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in Ekiti, stopped celebration of traditional festivals across the state and directed traditional rulers to ensure strict compliance.
The violence, which had divided residents of the town into two factions, started on Sunday and snowballed into a full scale war on Monday.
Local sources said that the victims were allegedly hit by stray bullets while making attempts to quell the raging crisis that paralysed business activities for most parts of the day.
A vehicle belonging to the Oba Ogunje was alleged to have been set ablaze by some irate youths, who were not happy with the stoppage of the festival which ought to have been celebrated on Sunday.
The royal father has, however been secured by armed policemen who prevented him from being attacked in person.
The crisis began, when the Oba, in an attempt to enforce the order, reportedly told the Ogun adherents to shelve this year’s celebration, which did not go down well with them.
Relatives of the victims have continued to protest the killing of their loved ones, amid heavy police presence.
