The residents of Ile Ife and Modakeke were thrown into panic on Sunday night over a purported communal clash between the two ancient towns.
AMILOADED had earlier reported that there had been tension in the two communities since last Tuesday when a cocoa merchant, Titilayo Gbadegesin, and his son, Reuben, were shot dead by unknown persons at Alapata Village.
It was learnt that youths from Modakeke discovered the bodies and alleged that they were killed by the residents of Ile Ife, an allegation the stakeholders from Ile Ife have since debunked.
However, on Sunday night, our correspondent gathered that sporadic gunshots were heard around the Alaro Area of Modakeke and in the early hours of Monday.
The gunshots heard in the area had caused panic on social media and in the towns that there could be a renewed war among people of Ife and Modakeke.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for Modakeke Progressive Union, Ven. Debo Babalola, explained that some suspected armed robbers who invaded the area were behind the shootings.
Also commenting, the Secretary of Ife Development Board, Lawrence Omidiora, said there was peace in Ife, calling on people to stop sharing information that would create panic in the town.
Babalola, who admitted that the shooting caused panic in the town, however, said there was no clash between Modakeke and Ile-Ife.
He urged people to desist from spreading unverified stories, saying engaging in such an act may lead to crises.
He said, “What happened today was shootings by armed robbers around Alaro community. People heard gunshots and started to panic because Alaro is not far from Ajebamidele community and where the Resort Centre of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, is located.
“People just heard gunshots and were scared. No clash anywhere and the two communities are in peace. I spoke to Baba Obalufe (next in rank to Ooni), and Sarun, (Ooni’s Chief of Staff) and they told me Ife is in peace too. Those spreading the unfounded news are causing tension.”
The Secretary of IDB, Omidiora, who called for restrain and proper investigation before dissemination of information, said, “The manner the killing of last Tuesday in Alapata was hyped caused a tense atmosphere between the two communities.”
Speaking on the incident with our correspondent, the Spokesperson to Ooni of Ife, Comrade Moses Olafare, also debunked the rumoured Ife/Modakeke clash.
“Never. Such didn’t happen. I will get back to you soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode has reacted to the viral clash between the two ancient communities.
In a statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police which was signed by SP. Opalola Yemisi, Spokesperson of Osun State Police Command on Monday, the Police boss described the report as ‘fake’.
While giving update in the account of the incident, he said, “It has become increasingly necessary to keep you abreast of the incident that occurred in Modakeke last night, 16th May, 2021 and has been trending on the social media.
“I want to categorically state that, it was an erroneous believe that some people came to attack people from Famia axis. The news was fake and a blatant lie!
“The true situation as gathered is that; the local vigilantes guiding the area against thieves & hoodlums were on their routine SHOW OF FORCE like any other places, to alert the people of community of their presence & assure them of safety.
“But because of what happened recently, people became apprehensive, thinking they were under attack.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode, psc wishes to assure the good people of Osun of his unrelenting commitment to ensure adequate security of the state, which he is overseeing without any fear of attack or molestation.
“He, therefore, appealed to the residents to timely report any strange movement around them or anyone suspected to be of questionable character. The Police Commissioner enjoined the residents to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of insecurity.”
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