Communal Clash: Soldiers, Police Deployed To Ekiti, Kwara Communities

Soldiers, police, and Amotekun Corps operatives have been deployed to address the escalating dispute between Eda Oniyo in Ekiti State and the neighboring Obbo Ayegunle in Kwara State. The conflict, rooted in a boundary dispute, intensified on Saturday when armed men from Obbo Ayegunle attacked Eda Oniyo, resulting in one fatality……..CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Details of the Incident

Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, confirmed the deployment of security forces to the area to restore order and protect residents. Olatunbosun stated, “Available information indicated that the boundary dispute between Eda Oniyo Ekiti and Obbo Ayegunle in Kwara State escalated when armed men from Obbo Ayegunle attacked Eda Oniyo on Saturday. One person from the community (Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government area) was reportedly killed in the fracas.”

The commissioner urged residents of Eda Oniyo to remain calm, assuring them that additional troops had been dispatched to secure the area. He also mentioned that the Army formation in Kwara State had been contacted to deploy troops along the Kwara side of the border to prevent further attacks from both sides.

Government and Traditional Leaders’ Response

Olatunbosun expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for those injured. He reiterated the Ekiti State Government’s commitment to fostering peace and security across the state and assured that the perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice.

Oba Julius Awolola, the traditional ruler of Eda Oniyo, recounted the attack, stating, “The Obbo people came armed into our town. They could not attack the Secretariat because some policemen were there. They came into the town to attack us, vandalized the windows of no fewer than two buildings, and killed one of our men in the process. It was when they were resisted by our people that they retreated to Obbo Ayegunle.”

Oba Awolola emphasized that the contested land belongs to Eda Oniyo, supported by official documents. He confirmed that representatives from the army, police, and state government were present in Eda Oniyo to address the issue and urged residents to remain calm.

Security Measures

Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, confirmed that security agents had moved into the area to ensure peace and order. The conflict between the Ekiti and Kwara communities has a long history, with both sides laying claim to the disputed land, leading to recurring hostilities.

Last month, Oba Awolola alleged that youths from Obbo Ayegunle attacked and vandalized the Ilejemeje Local Government Secretariat at Eda Oniyo and assaulted residents on their farms, further intensifying the conflict.

Conclusion

The deployment of security forces aims to de-escalate the situation and prevent further violence. The government’s immediate response and commitment to addressing the root causes of the conflict are crucial for long-term peace and stability in the region.

For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned.

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