Six die in Ondo communal clash

No fewer than six people were killed and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in a communal clash that broke out between two rival groups in Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the incident which occurred on Monday involved supporters of the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, and loyalists of a group led by Tale Iwatan.

Oba Odidiomo, who confirmed this on Wednesday, alleged that the Tale Group led by Iwatan had constituted a terror gang in the community.

He called on the state government and security agencies to check the activities of the gang.

According to him, those killed in the attack were Deji Enikanologbon, Ireayo Nana, and three other friends of one Banji Orofin who was allegedly kidnapped and killed by Tale group.

The monarch explained that the group had allegedly killed and raped many women in the town while houses of those who dared the group had allegedly been burnt.

Odidiomo explained that the rival group allegedly started the crisis on Monday following the abduction of Banji Orofin who was taken to a forest known as Tale Sambisa Forest, after which a search party including the police went to rescue him.

He said, “Because we know what this group can do, we send a car to take the people from the forest but they were ambushed by the Tale boys who set them ablaze together with the jeep.”

He alleged that the group was being sponsored by some leaders within the area.

“I want to appeal to the godfathers of these boys to stop fuelling crisis in the area. I know a 33-year-old boy cannot have money to buy and keep such a large armory and sophisticated weapons,” the traditional said .

However, the Tale group alleged that the violence was masterminded by the monarch.

They claimed that the monarch had sent hoodlums to the Iwatan family house with guns and other dangerous weapons. They added that the hoodlums allegedly set two houses belonging to the Iwatan’s family ablaze, when they could not abduct Tale Iwatan.

Counsel for the Tale Group, Mr. Koboju Atima, who spoke on behalf of the family, alleged that two vehicles belonging to the Iwatan family members were burnt by the hoodlums loyal to the monarch.