Police debunk resurgence of Ife-Modakeke war after killing of two indigenes

The Osun State Police Command, yesterday, debunked rumours making the rounds on social media that Ife and Modakeke towns in the state have renewed their conflict.

After two indigenes of Modakeke Ife East area office of the state were recently killed in Alapata village by some gunmen amid tension among the ancient town and its neighbouring Ile-Ife town, a video trended on social media with the purported rumours of a communal clash.

To this end, angry youths of Modakeke mobilised and took the dead bodies, said to be a mother and her son, to the palace of Ogunsua of Modakeke in protest while threatening to avenge the deaths.

The trending video showed some armed men parading Modakeke on Sunday night before the rumours started flying that indigenes of Ile-Ife had allegedly waged war against their neighbouring town.

But reacting to the claims of war resurgence between the two towns, the command, through a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola, yesterday, said residents mistook local vigilantes for warriors from neighbouring town.

Opalola said: “It was an erroneous belief that some people came to attack people from Famia axis of Modakeke.

“I want to categorically state that it was an erroneous belief that some people came to attack people from Famia axis. The news was fake and a blatant lie.

“The true situation as gathered is that the local vigilantes guiding the area against thieves and hoodlums were on their routine show of force to alert the people of the community of their presence and assure them of safety.

“But because of what happened recently (killing of Modakeke indigenes), people became apprehensive, thinking they were under attack.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokede, has assured people of the state of adequate security.

He appealed to everyone to report any strange movement or anyone suspected to be of questionable character on time. The CP urged affected residents to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of insecurity.