No fewer than five persons, including
policemen, have been feared dead following a communal clash between
Ganmo and Ganna communities in Kwara State over a traditional stool.
Two persons were already reported dead late Sunday when the violent clash first erupted while three others also lost their lives in the wee hours of yesterday just as several houses worth millions of naira were razed.
The two communities - Ganmo under Ilorin Emirate and Gana in Ifelodun Local Government Area are too interwoven as they are only separated by the major road within the communities.
It was gathered that the bloody clash was induced by the elevation of the monarch of Oluganna to a fourth class status, a decision which the people of Ganmo are said to be uncomfortable with.
However, the celebration of Oniganna's elevation was said to have triggered the clash as the rival community saw it as an act of provocation.
A resident of the area confirmed that he saw two corpses being evacuated from the warring communities apart from the two people killed on Sunday.
"I saw two corpses being taken away in a police vehicle but I am not sure if they are policemen. Right now, there is heavy presence of policemen here and people are afraid to come out for fear of attack," said a source who resides in Ganmo.
State police command, which was silent on the casualty figure yesterday, said none of its officers was killed in the clash. Its spokesman DSP Olufemi Fabode said 15 people have been apprehended in connection with the crisis.
The state government had recently announced the grading of Oluganna stool but the presentation of staff of office to the monarch was reportedly postponed apparently to avert the looming clash.
Two persons were already reported dead late Sunday when the violent clash first erupted while three others also lost their lives in the wee hours of yesterday just as several houses worth millions of naira were razed.
The two communities - Ganmo under Ilorin Emirate and Gana in Ifelodun Local Government Area are too interwoven as they are only separated by the major road within the communities.
It was gathered that the bloody clash was induced by the elevation of the monarch of Oluganna to a fourth class status, a decision which the people of Ganmo are said to be uncomfortable with.
However, the celebration of Oniganna's elevation was said to have triggered the clash as the rival community saw it as an act of provocation.
A resident of the area confirmed that he saw two corpses being evacuated from the warring communities apart from the two people killed on Sunday.
"I saw two corpses being taken away in a police vehicle but I am not sure if they are policemen. Right now, there is heavy presence of policemen here and people are afraid to come out for fear of attack," said a source who resides in Ganmo.
State police command, which was silent on the casualty figure yesterday, said none of its officers was killed in the clash. Its spokesman DSP Olufemi Fabode said 15 people have been apprehended in connection with the crisis.
The state government had recently announced the grading of Oluganna stool but the presentation of staff of office to the monarch was reportedly postponed apparently to avert the looming clash.
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