There was palpable tension in Ogun State on Saturday as operatives of the Nigerian Police and some youths in Ikenne community clashed over disagreement on the conduct of this year’s Oro festival.
According to reports, the disagreements snowballed into the youths storming streets and setting up bonfires at strategic locations in the community. The report stated that the protest was against the ban on this year’s Oro festival by the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government Area.
It maintained that the ban followed the tension building in the community over a royal battle.
To express their anger over the ban, some of the youths took to the streets to protest against the move. It was, therefore, in the process of protesting the ban through the burning of tyres that the police stepped in. The presence of the police, however infuriated the already angry youths.
The report stated that the police were in the community to monitor compliance with the ban order.
“There were sporadic gunshots due to the incident even as security agents arrested youths involved in the impasse,” the source said.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, confirmed the incident and disclosed that 20 suspects were arrested while two vehicles were impounded.
“We are very much aware of the situation, it is a fallout of the longstanding Obaship crisis in the town. And recently, the court dismissed the one currently on the throne. But the judgment had been appealed.
“So, based on the tensed atmosphere, the Local Government which is the consenting authority for the festival banned it. The Chairman stated that it should not be celebrated. So, that it won’t lead to any breach of peace.
“We did same thing last year but some youths who are being misguided decided they must have their way.
“We have arrested 20 of them and impounded two vehicles. Everyone will soon be brought to the State Command at Eleweran, Abeokuta to answer for their misdeeds,” Alamutu said.
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