The annual new yam festival of the Ibule-Soro community in the Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, was disrupted by sporadic gunshots on Friday.
The crisis was said to have been sparked off by the dispute between the supporters and opponents of the town’s monarch, Oba Oluleke Ogunlade, whose selection process is being challenged in court.
The king had fixed the new yam festival on August 25 to coincide with the first anniversary of his coronation. However, this did not go down well with some of the indigenes who believed there was a particular date for the celebration which cannot be changed.
The indigenes opposed to the monarch decided to hold the festival on Friday which they claimed was the actual date the tradition of the town stipulates.
Indigenes of the community had set out early in the morning for the celebration before a detachment of policemen and military personnel arrived and dispersed them.
A resident who pleaded anonymity disclosed that policemen stormed the community and started shooting sporadically and firing tear gas at everyone in sight.
According to him, several indigenes of the town have been arrested and taken to the police station at Igbara-Oke, the headquarters of the LGA.
In her reaction, the State Command’s Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the situation has been brought under control. Noting that the police were drafted to the community to maintain law and order and not to take sides with anyone in the crisis.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow Africa Update Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!