Crimes

Gunshots rock Ondo community over New Year carnival

Scores of residents scampered for safety on Wednesday as sporadic gunshots rented the air at Ikare-Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State for the second consecutive day.

It was gathered that the firing of gunshots began on Tuesday when youths from a part of the town staged a New Year carnival.

A resident said two lives had been lost, adding that houses and shops were razed in the incident.

“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 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.

“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,” he said.

Speaking to NAN, the Owa-Ale of Ikare, Oba Adeleke Adedoyin-Adegbite, said there was no casualty, adding that he had informed security operatives in the town to ensure peace.

“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 peace in the town,” the monarch said.

When contacted, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olufunmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said no casualty was recorded.

“No casualty whatsoever had been recorded to the best of my knowledge.

“The warring parties have been warned to maintain peace, policemen and soldiers are patrolling the town to ensure law and order within the area,” Odunlami-Omisanya said.

Ikare-Akoko had been embroiled in a supremacy battle between the Owa-Ale and the Olukare of Ikare, the two traditional rulers in the town over the years.

In August 2022, the state government elevated the Owa-Ale to the status of a first-class traditional ruler, making the town have two first-class obas.

The Star