At least, four persons and several others were injured at Kaara Market in Ajase Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State last Friday during the fracas between some people suspected to be members of Odua People’s Congress (OPC) and cow dealers.
The state Police Command which confirmed the incident said in a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Okasanmi Ajayi confirmed that peace had however returned to the troubled area.
The police assured people travelling along Ilorin Ajase-Ipo/Offa road that normalcy has now been restored and the road cleared of every barrier created as a result of the misunderstanding.
According to Ajayi, ”Information recieved by Ajase-Ipo Divisional Police headquarters was to the effect that some OPC members in a convoy of about twenty vehicles believed to have been coming from Oshogbo, Osun state, were passing through the Kaara market where a cow being led across the road by its handler broke the side mirror of one of the OPC vehicles,which resulted in an argument that eventually escalated into an exchange of gun fire by both the OPC members and the cow dealers in the market. Four lifeless bodies of unidentified persons were recovered at the scene.
“The immediate deployment of detachments of police men and teams of conventional police men to the scene by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command, CP Tuesday Assayomo prevented the escalation and killings of more people.
“Meanwhile, the four unidentified dead bodies have been evacuated from the scene and deposited at the UITH mortuary, the injured taken .to the hospital in Ajase-Ipo for medical treatment while police men have been stationed at the scene to prevent further break down of law and order.
The police said Ajase Ipo Offa road is now clear for movement of goods and services but warned that any body who go there to cause lawlessness would be arrested and charged to court.
The CP therefore advises that law abiding citizens in the area and commuters should go about their lawful businesses without any fear of attack or harassment.”
