Five Dead As Two Ondo Communities Clash Over Boundary, Police Arrest Seven

By Ayodele Oni

Five days after a cult clash was repelled in Owo, Ondo State, tragedy struck again in the State on Friday as a communal clash erupted at the boundary community between Akure and Idanre, leaving, at least, five people dead

The incident occurred at Gbalegi village, a disputed area between the two communities.

According to eyewitnesses, tension had been building up for days before the clash. The victims were initially taken to the nearby police station before being transported to a hospitalmorgue in Akure.

The Ondo State Police Command, while reacting to the incident said it received a distress call that a group of of thugs mobilized themselves to Gbalegi area, a disputed land between Akure and Idanre, attacking the people of the said area.

Spokesperson of the command, Funmilayo Odunlami, (CSP), in a statement explained that “The Police on receipt of the information moved to the scene and arrested Seven (7) people who were in possession of Charms and Seven single barrel guns with cache of live ammunition and expended ones. Police further combed the nearby bush areas and found four (4) corpse with bulllet wounds.

“The CP calls for caution in handling cases related to boundary issues and urge  communities involved in land disputes to approach the law court for proper redress rather than resorting to self help or violence.”