Aregbesola

The Government of Osun on Saturday said security agencies have resolved the crisis between the Asipa and Ipetumodu communities in Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

The Government, through a statement by the Bureau of Communication and Strategy, said the disagreement between the two neighbouring communities was immediately put under check before any form of escalation.

The Government statement, signed by the Bureau’s Director, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, explained that the Asipa/Ipetumodu disagreement has nothing to do with the recent crisis which erupted as a result of the activities of some miscreants within the Yoruba and Hausa community in Ile-Ife.

“The Asipa and Ipetumodu communities are brothers and the communities have existed for centuries as brother communities. Government has been on top of issues causing the disagreement and we are convinced that our efforts have yielded the needed peace. What happened in the early hours of Friday was no more than another little disagreement which was nipped in the bud.

“Security agencies have ensured the return of normalcy and the residents are now going about their normal daily activities. Leaders of the two communities left on the assurances that they would ensure peace and continue to live in peace.

“The Government has also sounded a stern note of warning on trouble makers as security agencies are poised to deal decisively with anyone caught involved in the breach of public peace,” the statement noted.

Few days after the violent clashes between Hausa and Yoruba communities in Ile-Ife, a fresh communal clash broke out in Osun state.

According to Vanguard, the clash broke out on Friday, March 31 in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun.

No fewer than 10 people were injured in the fresh violence.

Investigations revealed that the fresh clash was between the people of Ipetumodu and Asipa in Ife north area of the state.

According to an eyewitness account, the clash started on Wednesday evening shortly after an alleged misunderstanding that broke out after an inter house sports football competition in the Community High School Ipetumodu, not far away from Asipa.

Youths from both communities were allegedly involved in the fight. Some unidentified youths were said to have taken advantage of the face off between the students and set ablaze the popular Akinola Market in Asipa, a development that escalated the crisis between the two communities.

Gunshots were reportedly fired into the air to heighten tension in the area and no fewer than ten persons sustained injuries.

Policemen arrived later to maintain law and order.

According to one of the traditional chiefs who spoke on condition of anonymity, Asipa community was to blame.

He alleged that the other community turned a mere school riot to community clash to burn the market.

He also alleged that this was not the first time that such attack would be carried out against his people.

However, a leader of Asipa community, Julius Ogerinde denied the allegation saying that they were aggrieved because of the government white paper on the disputed land which favoured the other community.

“They only used the avenue of the Inter house Sport competition to perpetrate their grievances and three of our people were shot,” he said.

When contacted, the police spokesperson, Mrs. Folashade Odoro confirmed the clash, saying policemen had been drafted to the area to maintain law and order and normalcy has since returned to the area.