Two people have been feared killed and property worth millions of naira destroyed when Bororo-Fulani traders clashed with Yoruba natives of Oro-Ago in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Based on what was gathered, the problem allegedly started when Fulani-Bororo settlers reportedly flouted an already laid-down rule that the settlers should not bring arms and ammunition or fighting sticks from their settlements on Oro Ago market days.
It was alleged that the Fulani traders entered the market with arms on Monday but the vigilance team and hunters accosted them, seized the weapons and kept them at a place in Oro Ago town. To the surprise of the local vigilance team, the seized weapons were allegedly later carted away by the leader of the Fulani community in the area, popularly called Serikin Fulani, and handed back to his people. It was also gathered that in an attempt to retrieve the weapons from the Fulani, there was a breakdown of law and order as the two groups clashed resulting in four people sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
One of the youths of the area, Sogo Babarinde, who repaired phones in the market, was allegedly killed by the Fulani. Another version of the report said that youths in the area also killed one of the Fulani people, before they were chased away from the community.
At least about 10 motorcycles and five vehicles belonging to some members of the Fulani community were reportedly burnt by irate youths.
Meanwhile, security operatives including military and policemen, as well as the local vigilance team have been keeping vigil in the area to restore normalcy and prevent a reprisal attack, as people in the area were living in palpable fear.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ajayi Okasanmi, said only two persons were killed and not seven as being speculated, adding that men and officers of the command had been able to restore normalcy in the area after the clash. He added that the local government authorities had constituted a committee, comprising the natives and the Fulani residents to resolve the matter, and prevent a re-occurrence.