JUST-IN: Communal Clash Claims Another 5 Lives In Ondo
At least five people have been killed in a violent communal clash that erupted on Friday at a boundary community linking Akure and Idanre in Ondo State.
Tension had been brewing for several days between the two communities, and it escalated into deadly violence on Friday. According to a source, the bodies of the deceased were initially brought to a nearby police station before being transferred to the morgue in Akure.
The Gbalegi Village, where the incident occurred, has since been abandoned by residents, with reports of widespread fear and displacement.
Confirming the tragic event, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Ondo State, stated that the police had made several arrests in connection with the clash. Seven people were arrested, including individuals found with charms, seven single-barrel guns, and live ammunition. A subsequent search by the police in nearby bush areas led to the discovery of four more bodies, all with bullet wounds.
Odunlami-Omisanya said, “The Ondo State Police Command received a distress call reporting that a group of thugs had mobilized to the Gbalegi area, a disputed land between Akure and Idanre, and were attacking people in the area. Upon arrival, police arrested seven individuals who were in possession of charms and firearms. Further combing of the nearby bush led to the discovery of four bodies with bullet wounds.”
The police spokesperson also added that the Commissioner of Police had urged caution in handling disputes related to boundary issues and advised the feuding communities to seek legal redress in the courts rather than resorting to violence.
This clash is the latest in a series of conflicts over land disputes in Ondo State, underscoring the escalating tensions between neighboring communities over boundary lines.
