Goodness Oladele, Reporting
IBADAN – The Oyo State Government has confirmed that four people lost their lives and several others sustained injuries during a violent confrontation between Yoruba and Hausa youths, in the Ojoo area of Akinyele Local Government Area.
The government has pledged that those responsible for the bloodshed will be arrested and prosecuted, as security agencies move to restore normalcy in the troubled community.
The clash, which erupted on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning, reportedly stemmed from the killing of a commercial tricycle rider during a dispute over a Point-of-Sale (POS) transaction gone awry.
Traders in the vicinity, including those operating at the popular Ojoo Motor Park managed by the Park Management System, shuttered their businesses on Wednesday as tension gripped the area.
According to residents, the violence was triggered by an argument involving wheelbarrow pushers of northern extraction and a Yoruba tricycle rider over a failed POS transaction caused by network issues.
An eyewitness, who identified herself as Iya Kadijat, recounted the events leading to the tragedy:
“Around 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight, a man riding a Maruwa went to a POS at Strabag because he wanted to make a withdrawal. They gave him the money, but while they were trying to complete the transaction, the network was bad. He had already collected the money and used it, but the POS operator said the transaction had not gone through.”
She explained that the rider offered his bike keys and mobile phone as collateral, insisting he was not trying to flee.
“He said, ‘This is the key to my Maruwa. This is my Maruwa. This is my phone. You can keep them. I’m not running anywhere,'” she added.
The situation took a deadly turn as tempers flared.
“While they were arguing, somebody suddenly came, slapped him and stabbed him. He was rushed to the hospital but died on Wednesday morning,” Iya Kadijat said.
The rider’s death enraged his colleagues, friends and relatives, who mobilised to the area, sparking the violent confrontation that followed.
Another resident, Azeez Olamiposi, alleged that an armed individual carrying a rifle appeared during the clash before another person opened fire, killing one victim and wounding several others.
Stonix News could not independently verify the claims at the time of reporting.
Government Appeals for Calm
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the area on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Deputy Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal, attributed the unrest to criminal elements and appealed to residents to remain calm.
“The civil unrest in this area has been instigated by criminal elements. Criminals are simply criminals, and criminality has no tribal identity,” Lawal stated.
“Our priority is to ensure the restoration of peace and stability here in Ojoo and, indeed, across every part of Oyo State. Oyo State has always been renowned for its peaceful coexistence, stability, progress and development. Despite the current situation, we remain committed to sustaining that legacy.”
The deputy governor assured the public that security agencies had been directed to apprehend those behind the violence and ensure they faced the full weight of the law.
