The Oyo State Government yesterday confirmed that two persons were killed in a violent disturbance that erupted in the Ojoo area of Akinyele Local Council of the state.

Several others sustained injuries in the clash, which disrupted commercial and social activities and forced many residents to flee the area.

The Guardian learnt that the violence followed the alleged killing of a commercial tricycle rider during a dispute over a Point-of-Sale (PoS) transaction on Tuesday night.

Although some residents claimed the death toll was higher, the state government maintained that only two fatalities had been officially confirmed, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

The unrest prompted the deployment of a joint security team comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the military and the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), who restored calm and maintained a heavy presence in the affected communities.

Addressing residents during an assessment visit on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde, the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, described the violence as a criminal act rather than an ethnic conflict.

He warned against attempts to ethnicise the incident, insisting that criminality should not be associated with any tribe.

“Criminality has no tribal identity. Our priority is to restore peace and stability in Ojoo and across Oyo State. Anyone found culpable, irrespective of ethnic background, will face the full weight of the law,” Lawal said.

He appealed to residents, particularly youths, to refrain from reprisals and cooperate with security agencies by allowing them unrestricted access to the affected areas.

The deputy governor assured residents that the state government would investigate both the immediate and remote causes of the violence, prosecute those responsible and ensure justice for the victims.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Akinyele Local Council, Akinwole Akinleye, urged residents to remain calm, stressing that the incident should not be viewed through an ethnic lens.

“This has nothing to do with ethnicity. It is simply a criminal matter. The police and the military have taken charge of the situation, arrests have been made, and I am confident the law will take its course,” he said.

Akinleye disclosed that leaders of the Hausa and Yoruba communities had begun dialogue aimed at preventing further violence and sustaining the peaceful coexistence that has long existed in the area.

An eyewitness, Azeez Olamiposi, alleged that the crisis began after a commercial tricycle rider visited a PoS operator to withdraw cash on Tuesday night.

According to him, a network failure delayed confirmation of the transaction after the rider had received the cash, leading to an argument.

Olamiposi claimed that the rider offered his tricycle, its keys and his mobile phone as collateral pending resolution of the transaction but was allegedly attacked by another individual who intervened in the dispute.

He alleged that the rider later died from the injuries he sustained.

The witness further claimed that tensions escalated on Wednesday when residents gathered to demand an explanation over the incident, triggering fresh violence in which several people were injured. He also alleged that gunshots were heard during the disturbance, although security agencies had yet to confirm the claim.

The spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Oluseyi Ayanlade, said the situation had been brought under control.

Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, appealed to all parties involved in the crisis to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the monarch said the peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic groups in Ibadan must be protected.

“Regardless of where we come from, we should continue to see ourselves as brothers and sisters,” the traditional ruler said.

Ladoja acknowledged that disagreements were inevitable in human relationships but cautioned against allowing them to degenerate into violence, especially amid the country’s prevailing security challenges.

He noted that Ibadan has, over the years, remained home to Nigerians from different ethnic, religious and ideological backgrounds, urging residents to preserve the city’s long-standing tradition of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

The monarch also commended the police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, which he said prevented a further breakdown of law and order.

As of yesterday evening, security operatives continued to patrol the affected communities while normalcy gradually returned to Ojoo and adjoining areas.