The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the death of two individuals in a communal clash involving the Oka-Odo, Ebo, and Owake communities in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Funmilayo Odunlami, the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, called for calm and urged all parties to embrace peace.
The statement read:
“The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State, CP Wilfred Afolabi, has appealed for peace amidst the ongoing clashes between the youths of Oka-Odo, Ebo, and Owake communities in Iwaro. He emphasized that violence and the destruction of property would only lead to stagnation and underdevelopment.”
The conflict reportedly began on January 12, 2025, when youths from Oka-Odo on a hunting expedition were allegedly attacked by Ebo youths, who mistook them for individuals from Owake due to an unresolved land dispute. In retaliation, Oka-Odo youths launched an attack on the Ebo community, resulting in property damage and loss of lives.
The clash left two people dead, while several others sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention. A police team, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP Operations), has been deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation.
The Commissioner of Police assured the public that the perpetrators of the violence would face justice, while urging the warring communities to resolve their disputes peacefully.
In a related development, the Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, recently imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Owo following a violent cult clash that claimed four lives. The curfew, running from 7 pm to 6 am, aims to prevent further unrest.
During a visit to Owo, CP Wilfred Afolabi announced the arrest of 19 suspects connected to the cult clash and reaffirmed the commitment of the police and other security agencies to safeguard lives and property across the state.
