Violence Erupts In Ondo Community Over Date For New Yam Festival  

The peace of Ibule Community in Ifedore local government area of Ondo State was on Friday shattered following a disagreement between the supporters of Onibule of Ibule, Oba Oluleke Ogunlade and those against him over dates set for the annual New Yam festival.

The dispute over the annual festival, which usually marks the beginning of eating of new yam led to sporadic shootings between both groups in the town.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the selection process of Oba Ogunlade is currently being challenged in the law court.

There had been no love lost between the monarch and some indigenes since the installation of the monarch who claimed that the process that led to his emergence was fraudulent.

Oba Ogunlade had fixed the new yam festival for August 25 to coincide with the first anniversary of his coronation, but this did not go down well with some of the indigenes who believed there was a sacrosanct date for the celebration.

Trouble started when those against the date set by the monarch decided to hold their New Yam festival on Friday, the usual date they claimed was the actual date stipulated by the tradition of the town.

A source told our correspondent that some indigenes of the community opposed to the monarch had set out early in the morning for their festival before a detachment of policemen and military personnel arrived and dispersed them.

The source alleged that security personnel were in the community at the invitation of the monarch who did not want the festival to be held.

The source said, “This is to inform you that there has been a serious crisis in Ibule Soro since yesterday (Friday) around 12:16 pm till present now. This is beyond control as the police invaded us shooting sporadically, terrorizing the entire community.”

The source also said the teargas shot by the police was seriously affecting the age people, adding that the younger people were also hospitalised due to the teargas.

“The security people came, shooting sporadically and firing teargas at everyone in sight. They even fired teargas into various houses where we have aged people. They broke into several houses and arrested people.

“As I speak, many indigenes are receiving treatment in various hospitals while police have arrested many youths too. We do not know that celebrating the new yam festival has become a crime. We were celebrating without any problem until the security people came.”

He further added that several indigenes of the town have been arrested and taken to the police station at Igbara-Oke, the headquarters of Ifedore local government.

However, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said the situation in the community has been brought under control.

She also denied the allegation that police came to the community to take sides in the dispute, rather insisted that the officers were drafted into the community to maintain law and order.

The PPRO said, “Ibule people had an internal crisis that had been on for a while, the command had earlier invited the warring parties to sheath their swords and embrace peace, while the aggrieved were advised to seek legal redress.

“Unfortunately, the crisis degenerated yesterday (Friday) so the Police had to come in to avoid a total breakdown of law and order.”