Three feared dead as Amotekun, herdsmen clash in Oyo

At least three persons were confirmed dead while two others were injured in a clash involving men of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps and suspected herdsmen in Ayete community, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the state.

Unconfirmed sources said about seven houses were also razed in the clash whose cause could not be ascertained yet.

Although some sources hinted that the casualty toll is higher, the police said it arrived at the number after the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ayete Police Station visited the scene of the incident to ascertain what happened.

The clash was said to have started at Okebi village on Saturday morning but the cause of the violence could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report.

A source who claimed to be a resident of the area said about seven houses had been razed, saying “Alhaji Usman Okebi and his two sons were killed.

“We don’t know what caused the fight. Some persons were shot and others were injured.

“The number of people killed has increased to seven. Those who were shot and ran away later died in the bush.”

Another source said the clash was between the Amotekun Corps and Bororo people and some people were killed.

But he said he could not say which of the parties suffered more casualties.

Effort made to reach the Commandant of Amotekun in the state, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), yielded no result as the calls put through to his lines went unanswered and were yet to be returned at press time.

The situation was the same with the Information Officer of the Amotekun Corps, Mrs Ayolola Adedoja.

But when contacted, the Oyo State Police Command said the DPO Ayete moved immediately to the scene of the incident as soon as he got wind of the situation.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, said in a short message: “When the DPO of Ayete got wind of the incident, he moved in swiftly to ascertain the cause of the attack.

“In his report, three persons died and two were injured. He has since commenced investigation and further development will unfold soonest, pls.”