Five killed, scores injured as police, residents clash in Ondo

No fewer than five persons including a toddler were yesterday killed in a clash between the Police and residents of Ilaramokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo state.

The clash which was occasioned by an auto accident which claimed the lives of two persons on Tuesday evening, also rendered many residents of the town injured.

It was gathered that residents of the town led by a former councilor in the town blocked the Ilesa/Akure express road to protest the killing of two natives of the town, a development which spurred the anger of the police and in an attempt to disperse them, shot sporadically.
During the ensuing melee, two patrol vehicles of the state Police command were burnt to ashes, while four other vehicles were also razed down by the protesters.
When Our Correspondent visited the scene of the clash, fierce looking Police Officers and residents of the town, who were majorly youths were seen exchanging sharp objects.
Also, the protesters blocked the busy road with timbers and stones, thereby preventing vehicles from plying the road.
Commuters on the road groaned for hours as they were forced to trek a long distance before they could get vehicles to their destinations, while many of them who could not bear the rigour of the trek returned to their various homes.
It was learnt that the accident which claimed the lives of the residents of the town angered the people of the sleepy community and thereby resulted in the protest which eventually turned bloody when the Police attempted to disperse them.
Major activities in the town and its environs were disrupted for several hours even as students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) located close to the town had a hectic time going to their classes following the blockage of the road.
It was gathered that members of the community and the Police officers deployed to the town were engaged in serious battle, a situation which prompted the deployment of Soldiers to the town.
However, the situation was calmed after soldiers got to the scene of the clash, and it was learnt that the soldiers and other security agents cleared the road for movement of vehicles.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state Police Command, Mr Femi Joseph who confirmed the incident, said peace has returned to the community following the efforts of the Police at pacifying the aggrieved residents of the town.
The police image maker said no arrest has been made by the Police, maintaining that the Police were after peace in the community and would do everything to ensure that peace reigns in the community.