
Few
days after the violent clash between hausa and yoruba communities in
Ile-Ife which claimed many lives and property destroyed, another
communal clash broke out yesterday in Ife North Local Government Area of
Osun during which no fewer than ten persons sustained injuries.
The fresh clash Saturday Vanguard gathered was between the people of Ipetumodu and Asipa in Ife north area of the State.
The crisis according to an eyewitness
account was said to have started on Wednesday evening shortly after
alleged misunderstanding that broke out aftermath of inter house sports
football competition in the Community High School Ipetumodu, not far
away from Asipa.
The fight allegedly involved youths from
both communities. It was further gathered that some unidentified youths
took the advantage of the face off between the students and set ablaze
the popular Akinola Market in Asipa a development that escalated the
crisis between the two communities.
It will be recalled that the
establishment of Akinola Market on the disputed portion of land had
sparked off crisis last year in the area before the state government
intervention.
It was further learnt that gun shots
were fired into the air to heighten tension in the area. Though some
policemen had been drafted to the area to maintain law and order, it was
gathered that no fewer than ten persons sustained injuries.
One of the traditional chiefs who did
not want his name in print laid the blame on Asipa community alleging
that the other community turned a mere school riot to community clash to
burn the market.
He also alleged that this was not the first time that such attack would be carried out against his people.
But a leader of Asipa community, Mr
Julius Ogerinde denied the allegation saying that they were aggrieved
because of the government white paper on the disputed land which
favoured the other community.
“ They only use the avenue of the Inter
house Sport competition to perpetrate their grievances and three of our
people were shot”.
When the Police Public Relation Officer,
Mrs. Folashade Odoro was contacted she confirmed the clash and said the
policemen had been drafted to the area to maintain law and order.
She said that normalcy has since returned to the area.
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