From Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Police have arrested six prople in connection with Friday violence over obaship tussle in Ikenne, Ogun State.
The lingering tussle over the traditional stool of Ikenne in Ikenne Local Government Area of the State, is a subject of an on - going litigation in court, but crisis erupted in the town on Friday following the decision by the reigning monarch, Oba Onakade, to celebrate a traditional festival known as "Jabajaba."
Oba Onakade was said to have sent a town crier round the town to notify the people concerning preparation for the Jabajaba rites.
The development did not sit well with the opposing side, who allegedly attacked the town crier and seized the gong from him.
They also accused the Oba of trying to forcefully fence off a piece of land where traditional rites are performed in the town.
This led to a fracas between the two opposing camps with both sides sustaining injures while some homes were also damaged.
Policemen led by the Area Commander, Sagamu Police Area Command, were quickly deployed to contain the situation and restore calm in the town.
The Daily Crucible gathered that the commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, also visited the town for assessment of the situation and had peace talk separately with the feuding camps, warning them to shun violence and follow the law to resolve their differences.
But while Ajogun and his entourage were still in the town for the peace mission, information was received that some people suspected to be thugs and Agbekoyas, the popular yoruba hunters' group, were sighted shooting sporadically in retaliation for their properties allegedly damaged by the rival side.
Four people were injured in the process and the alleged perpetrators - Olasunkanmi Enigbokan, Oluwashina Kafisanwo, Olusegun Odukoya, Lawal Adebayo, Suraju Animashun and Qudus Mabadeje, were arrested with dangerous weapons and assorted charms.
They have also confessed to the offence, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a release made available to the media while the injured persons have also been taken to the hospital.
Although it was said that death occurred during the violence but Abimbola, a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), dismissed it as "rumour."
The suspects will be transferred to state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation and prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has warned that anybody caught with offensive weapons and attempting to harm any person or destroy property will be dealt with decisively.
However, peace is gradually returning to Ikenne as more policemen have been deployed to beef up security in the town.
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