A violent clash between two neighboring communities in Ondo State has claimed the lives of six people, with four more reportedly killed in a separate incident on Friday. The tragic event unfolded in Gbalegi, a village located on the disputed border between Akure, the state capital, and Idanre.
The bloodshed erupted early Friday morning around 8:00 a.m. after weeks of rising tensions in the area. According to reports, heavily armed assailants stormed the village, opening fire on unsuspecting residents. The bodies of the victims, riddled with bullets, were initially taken to a nearby police station before being transferred to a morgue in Akure.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command stated that it received a distress call reporting an attack by armed thugs in Gbalegi. The village, known for its long-standing land dispute between Akure and Idanre communities, has been a flashpoint for violent confrontations in recent years.
Police spokespersons disclosed that officers responded swiftly to the scene and arrested seven suspects believed to be involved in the attack. The suspects were found in possession of charms, seven single-barrel guns, and a cache of both live and spent ammunition.
“The command received a distress call that some armed hoodlums mobilized to Gbalegi, a disputed area between Akure and Idanre, and attacked the residents. Our officers moved in promptly, neutralized the situation, and apprehended seven suspects with firearms and ammunition,” the statement read.
Authorities have assured the public that a full investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack and bring all perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, security has been heightened in the area to prevent further violence.
This latest incident has intensified concerns over the persistent communal clashes in Ondo State, particularly over land ownership disputes, which continue to threaten peace and stability in the region.
A violent clash between two neighboring communities in Ondo State has claimed the lives of six people, with four more reportedly killed in a separate incident on Friday. The tragic event unfolded in Gbalegi, a village located on the disputed border between Akure, the state capital, and Idanre.
The bloodshed erupted early Friday morning around 8:00 a.m. after weeks of rising tensions in the area. According to reports, heavily armed assailants stormed the village, opening fire on unsuspecting residents. The bodies of the victims, riddled with bullets, were initially taken to a nearby police station before being transferred to a morgue in Akure.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command stated that it received a distress call reporting an attack by armed thugs in Gbalegi. The village, known for its long-standing land dispute between Akure and Idanre communities, has been a flashpoint for violent confrontations in recent years.
Police spokespersons disclosed that officers responded swiftly to the scene and arrested seven suspects believed to be involved in the attack. The suspects were found in possession of charms, seven single-barrel guns, and a cache of both live and spent ammunition.
“The command received a distress call that some armed hoodlums mobilized to Gbalegi, a disputed area between Akure and Idanre, and attacked the residents. Our officers moved in promptly, neutralized the situation, and apprehended seven suspects with firearms and ammunition,” the statement read.
Authorities have assured the public that a full investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack and bring all perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, security has been heightened in the area to prevent further violence.
This latest incident has intensified concerns over the persistent communal clashes in Ondo State, particularly over land ownership disputes, which continue to threaten peace and stability in the region.
