By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
Four persons have been reportedly killed in a fierce clash between members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and cow dealers in Kwara State on Friday evening.
It was gathered that one of the side mirrors of a convoy of about 20 vehicles belonging to the OPC members passing through the Kara market from Oshogbo was broken by a cow that was being herded which resulted in an argument.
The argument degenerated into an exchange of gun fire by both the OPC members and the cow herders in the market resulting in the death of four unidentified persons and the injuries of many.
Operatives of the Kwara State Command were swiftly deployed to the scene after a tip-off to prevent the killings of more people.
While the four unidentified dead bodies were deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) morgue, the injured were taken to Ajase-Ipo Hospital for medical treatment.
This incident, which led to the blockage of the Ilorin Ajase-Ipo/Offa road, was contained in a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Okasanmi Ajayi and made available to Stonix News announcing the clearance of the road.
“Information received by Ajase-Ipo Divisional Police headquarters was to the effect that some OPC members in a convoy of about 20 vehicles believed to have been coming from Oshogbo, Osun state, were passing through the Kara market where a cow being led across the road by its handler broke the side mirror of one of the OPC vehicles, which resulted in an argument that eventually escalated into an exchange of gun fire by both the OPC members and the cow dealers in the market. Four lifeless bodies of unidentified persons were recovered at the scene.
“The immediate deployment of detachments of police men and teams of conventional police men to the scene by the Commissioner of police, Kwara State Police Command, Cp Tuesday Assayomo psc (+) prevented the escalation and killings of more people.
“Meanwhile, the four unidentified dead bodies have been evacuated from the scene and deposited at the UITH mortuary, the injured taken .to the hospital in Ajase-Ipo for medical treatment, while police men have been stationed at the scene to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of Kwara State, especially people traversing along Ilorin Ajase-Ipo/Offa road that normalcy has been restored and the road cleared of every barrier created as a result of the misunderstanding between some people suspected to be members of OPC and cow dealers in Kara market of Ajase-Ipo which happened today 12/8/2022 at 1830hrs.
“The Ajase Ipo, Offa road, is now clear for movement of goods and services.Therefore any body who still goes there cause lawlessness would be arrested and charged to court.
“The CP, therefore, advises that law abiding citizens in the area and commuters should go about their lawful businesses without any fear of attack or harassment,” the statement stated.
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