Carnival: Youths clash in Ondo, many feared killed

Following a fight between youths in the town on Wednesday, social and commercial activities in Ikare Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area, Ondo State, were suspended.

It was reported that many individuals were reportedly afraid to die, that some hoodlums allegedly burned down and vandalized shops and automobiles, and that banks and other organizations stayed closed out of concern for attacks.

Five people lost their lives in the incident, according to a source who spoke with our correspondent, and numerous others were hurt.

The problem allegedly broke out amid a brawl between two youth groups on Monday night during a new year’s festival that was organized by the teenagers.

The situation began on Monday night during the youth-organized new year’s carnival, according to the source, and it grew worse until this morning (Wednesday). Gunshots could be heard everywhere. As I speak with you, there is anxiety throughout the entire town; nobody was able to visit the market or shops in Ikare.

“Banks also stayed closed to the public out of concern about criminals. Commercial activity has ceased in the city’s main markets, including Osele and Obada. All of the shops and enterprises in the Okoja Area, Oloko Junction, and Post Office Area up to Lokoja Garage have closed. Customers of the banks, especially those who traveled to Ikare from other towns, were upset over the closure.

Another account claimed that the two warring parties were purportedly loyal to the two monarchs, the Olukare of Ikare and Owa Ale of Ikare, and that the crisis was a result of their ongoing cold war.

You know Ikare is divided, and Okoja acts as a sort of center between the two, he remarked. The Olukare youngsters barred the Owa Ale people from using the area even though they wanted to.

“There was a dilemma when the Owa Ale people prevented the Olukare from using the location for the carnival on Tuesday. The amount of shooting caused the town to become desolate.

“The teenagers organized for another attack this morning (Wednesday), and the shootings continue. A lot of stores have been shut down, but the police have stepped in. During the altercation, I witnessed at least two individuals being shot dead and numerous others being injured, but I later found out that more people had died.

When reached, Funmilayo Odunlami, the state police command’s public relations officer, verified the development and said police officers and other security agents had been sent to the town to help things return to normal.

“The fighting parties have been admonished to maintain peace,” the PPRO declared. To maintain peace and order in the area, police and military are currently patrolling the town.