No fewer than four persons were killed in Kuseru, over ownership of land between Ikale in Okitipupa and the Oyo/Osun farmers living in Odigbo council area in Ondo state.
NigeriaCrime.com gathered that a Councillor, representing Oyo/Osun axis, whose identity could not be readily ascertained was among the casualties in the fresh crisis that erupted when a woman in Kajola was shot.
Confirming the incident, The Special Adviser to the governor on security matters, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said only two persons were killed during the crisis.
Adeleye said that “There has been an aged long crisis in Koseru between Oluku family of Ikale in Okitipupa and the Oyo/Osun farmers living in Odigbo local government.
“The Oyo/Osun are predominantly cash crop farmers. They have been fighting over ownership of the land.
“The fresh crisis erupted when a one woman in Kajola was shot.
“We are suspecting a reprisal attack of some Ikale youths who mobilised themselves and launched an attack on the unsuspecting Osun/Oyo farmers.
“There is a Councillor representing Oyo/Osun axis that was killed in the fracas. A vigilante member and not Amotekun was killed.
“Their corpses have been deposited at the hospital. Amotekun, Police and the Army maintain vigilance overnight to ensure peace returns. And also prevent attackers from destroying more of the farmlands.”
However, the state police Commissioner, Yemi Oyediran, has ordered the arrest of the culprits involved in the killings and arsons.
A statement issued by the state Command spokesperson, Omisanya Funmilayo, said that “on the 9th December 2022, a case of attempted murder was reported at Kajola Division, that a woman Julianah Alaba Abejoye was shot by two masked men on her farm at Ogbontiba via Kuseru with a locally made double-barrelled gun and escaped.
“She sustained injuries on the arm and thigh and was rushed to the Hospital for treatment.
“On the 10th December 2022, at about 10:am in what seemed to be a reprisal attack, Aiyetoro Boys in their numbers attacked Kuseru Village, set ablaze the motorcycle parks, killed livestock, destroyed motorcycles and cut down plantain trees.
“Police contingents were quickly dispatched to the scene, and while on patrol of the Villages, corpses of vigilantes were met at the Palace of Bale of Kuseru Village who were said to have been allegedly ambushed and killed.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyediran visited the scene, urged all parties involved to sheath their sword and allow police to carry out a thorough investigation on what happened.
“He further ordered that the Area commander and DPO of the area should ensure all culprits involved in the Arson and Murder be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
“Tactical teams of the command have been deployed to aid the activities of Policemen in the area.
“The CP is also using this medium to allay the fears of the residents around Kuseru, Aiyetoro and Ago Alafia and Ondo State at large that nothing untoward will happen to them as adequate security is emplaced to ensure a hitch-free celebration during this period.
“Normalcy has returned to Kuseru Village, a community where there was a communal clash.