In efforts to douse the communal clash in three communities in Oka-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, 32 suspects have been arrested by the police in connection with the crisis.
Visiting the communities on Tuesday for an on-the-spot assessment, the state Police Commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi said it is imperative to restore peace in the affected communities to allow business and social activities.
He disclosed the 32 suspects have been moved to the state Command headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital for intensive interrogation to know the remote and immediate causes of the clash in which two people have been confirmed dead by the police.
Oka Odo was the most affected in the crisis during which several houses were torched.
When the commissioner arrived in the communities, they were all deserted with only a few elders and youths in sight.
The residents took to flight for fear of being arrested by law enforcement agents who have been after the perpetrators of the crisis.
Addressing newsmen, the Commissioner said: “If the two communities sit down, it can be resolved. This is a matter that can be resolved in court. So, taking laws into their hands at this stage is disappointing. When you lose peace, a lot of things get paralyzed.
“My advice to the people fomenting this crisis is to go the way of peace because when the chips are down, you will end up being the loser. The prompt deployment of Police saved the situation.
“Now we have 32 suspects in our custody. There’s nothing like random arrest. Many of them were arrested in the act. I can assure you that they will be prosecuted.
“The evidence that we have against them is overwhelming and we have the assurance that we will get convictions and they will be out of circulation for some time. I think that will teach them a lesson to follow after peace.”
The clash had been caused by some youths from the Ebo community who in error allegedly attacked some youths from Owake who were hunting in the forest hunting games mistaking them for Oka Odo on Sunday.
The people of Ebo were said to have a pending land tussle with the people of Oka Odo
The mistaken attack led to a serious clash between the youths of the communities when the Owake youths came for a reprisal.
Police confirmed that two persons died during the clash.
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