Two feared killed in Kwara as Fulani, Yoruba clash over arms
TWO persons were yesterday feared killed and several property worth millions of naira destroyed as Bororo-Fulani traders clashed with Yoruba natives of Oro-Ago in Ifelodun Local Council of Kwara State.
Sources said the problem was allegedly caused by Fulani-Bororo settlers who reportedly flouted an already laid down rule that on no occasion should the settlers bring arms, ammunition or fighting sticks from their settlements on Oro Ago market days.
It was gathered that the Fulani traders entered the market with arms on Monday and the men of the local vigilance team and hunters accosted them, seized the weapons and kept them at a place in Oro Ago town.
But to the surprise of men of the local vigilance team, the seized weapons were allegedly carted away by the leader of the Fulani people in the area, popularly called Serikin Fulani, who allegedly gave them back to his people.
It was also gathered that in an attempt to retrieve the weapons from the Fulani, there was a breakdown of law and order as the two groups clashed, resulting in four people sustaining various degrees of wounds and injuries.
One of the youths in the area, Sogo Babarinde, who repaired phones in the market, was reportedly killed by some Fulani people. Another version of the report said that youths in the area embarked on a reprisal attack leading to the death of an unidentified person.
The settlers and the land-owners had lived peacefully together in the land for over 20 years before the outbreak of the unfortunate hostility.
At least 10 motorcycles and five vehicles were reportedly burnt by the irate youths. Meanwhile, security operatives, including military and policemen, as well as men of the local vigilance team, had been keeping vigil in the area to restore normalcy and prevent a reprisal attack, just as some people left in the area continued to live in fear.
Speaking with the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, he said that only two persons were killed and not seven as being speculated, adding that men and officers of the command had been able to restore normalcy in the area after the clash.
He also said that the local council authorities in the area had constituted a committee, comprising the natives and Fulani people, to resolve the matter and prevent a recurrence.
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1 Comments
Sad, let us pray that we do not see more of this occurrences. What has Fulanis to do with Kwara…are we sure it is not payback time?
We will review and take appropriate action.