Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has reacted to last Friday’s bloody clash between cow dealers and Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, at Kara Market in Ajasse-Ipo town, cautioning people against violent reaction to issues for whatever reasons.
DAILY POST recalls that some persons were killed in the bloody clash, while several others were injured, according to police reports.
The incident occurred when a stray cow broke the side mirror of one of the vehicles of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, members who were in a convoy of 20 vehicles heading to Kwara from Osun State after the Osun festival.
While the State police command reported four killed in the bloody clash, the chairman of the State chapter of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria, GAFDAN, Ali Mohammed Jounwiro, however, claimed that nine members of the association were killed in the incident.
In a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye in Ilorin on Monday, the governor said, “there was no clash between the people of Ajase-Ipo and the Fulani or Bororo community.”
According to Governor Abdulrazaq, the Friday incident in Kara (Ajase-Ipo) involved some cattle traders and members of a group who were travelling through the area from neighbouring Osun State.
The Governor had gone to the town on Saturday to inspect the Kara Market. He visited the palace of the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo where he met with different community leaders and commiserated with those affected.
AbdulRazaq commended the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahya Alebiosu and the security agencies for acting swiftly to curb escalation of the crisis.
“There is really no reason to continue to point fingers. What happened was regrettable and we sincerely commiserate with families who lost their loved ones and properties.
“The violence was needless. We also in the name of God do not need a cycle of violence; I appeal to everyone to let go and avoid further violence,” the Governor said.
“Going forward, a government committee will look into how to prevent such a crisis in the future, including creating a setback for markets like the Kara in Ajase-Ipo, which are so close to the highway. Again, I appeal to all persons involved to shun blame games and anything that may trigger violence,” he added.
