10 Houses Burnt As Rival Groups Clash

No less than 10 houses were burnt down in Irawo, Oyo State as rival groups in the community clashed in a renewed community uprising.

During the similar clash last year, many lives were lost while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed and the traditional ruler of the town Ajoriwon of Irawo fled the town, in the wake of the crisis.

However, Governor Rasheed Ladoja who moved swiftly to prevent further loss of lives and properties ordered the arrest of troublemakers and those behind the renewed violence.

Beside, Ladoja who called the community leaders to a peace meeting ordered them to sign agreement warning them of the consequences of further breakdown of law and order in the town.

According to an account, trouble started on the Eid-el-Fitri day when some people said to be opposed to the traditional ruler of the town unleashed terror on the other faction after ramadan pra-yers.

The account informed THISDAY that the attack was in retaliation of last year's attack. Those who lost their relatives and properties in the attack were said to be behind last week's vengeance mission.

A prominent businessman and politician Chief Ola Adigun was one of those whose houses were razed.

However, a detachment o anti-riot policemen have been drafted to the town to ensure peace.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Affairs and Strategy Prince Ade Adekanbi however gave an assurance that government has taken a number of measures to ensure peace in the state.