The communities of Share and Kanje, Tsaragi district in Ifelodun and Edu Local Government Areas of Kwara State on Thursday renewed age-long land dispute leaving three people feared dead and many others injured.
It was learnt that at least 20 people reportedly sustained varying degrees of injury in a clash in the early hours of Thursday.
Daily Trust gathered that many houses and vehicles were torched in the process that lasted hours over disagreement on clearing of land for the coming farming season.
Some people in Share community said that their neighbours attacked them from entry and exit points of the town.
“The renewed attack on our community and travellers started early this morning. They’ve been attacking us from both entry and exit points of the town.
“While I can’t confirm or deny any death for now, I am very sure scores have sustained varying degrees of injury,” a resident of the Share said.
But an indigene of Edu who spoke with our reporter said at least three people have so far been killed in the incident.
”You know the Kanje community is in Tsargi district of Edu Local Government. It has to do with a land close to Kanje that indigenes were clearing for the forthcoming farming season which the Share people claimed belong to them that later degenerated to a full scale hostility.
”At least, I can tell you that three people have so far been killed as it has involved confrontation with guns and other dangerous weapons. Its the people of Kanje that suffered the brunt most with houses, cars and properties burnt and destroyed”, he added.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Police command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said, “We received information and immediately deployed our men there. We’ve restored normalcy as I am speaking with you”, he said.
Also, in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, on Thursday, the state government said it has taken immediate steps to maintain peace in Tsaragi/Share communities.
“Government appeals to all sides to keep the peace while the development is being monitored. The governor is already talking with the leaders on all sides,” he said.
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