Four Killed As OPC, Cattle Dealers Exchange Fire In Kwara

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the killing of four persons in a clash between members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and cattle dealers in Ajase Ipo, Irepodun local government area of Kwara State.

Afrika Eyes learnt that the crisis started at Kaara market, a weekly cow market in the town with both parties engaging in the shooting.

In a statement by the command Spokesman SP Okasanmi Ajayi, obtained by Afrika Eyes said normalcy has been restored in the area.

The Police statement read: “Kwara state police Command wishes to inform the good people of Kwara State, especially people traversing along the Ilorin Ajase-Ipo/Offa road that normalcy has been restored and the road cleared of every barrier created as a result of the misunderstanding between some people suspected to be members of OPC and cow dealers in Kara market of Ajase-Ipo which happened today 12/8/2022 at 1830hrs.

“Information received 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 Kara 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 gunfire 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 policemen and teams of conventional policemen to the scene by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command, Cp Tuesday Assayomo psc (+) 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 breakdown of law and order.

“The Ajase Ipo Offa road is now clear for the movement of goods and services. Therefore anybody who still goes there causes of lawlessness would be arrested and charged to court.”

However, the commissioner of Police advises all law-abiding citizens in the area and commuters to go about their lawful businesses without any fear of attack or harassment.