Following an altercation at a New Year's carnival, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu ordered a 24-hour curfew on Ikare-Akoko, the administrative centre of Akoko Northeast Local Government Area.
On Tuesday, a youth-organized New Year's carnival was disrupted by random gunshots that rend the air, causing chaos to erupt in the town.
According to reports from Ikare, attendees at the event and local locals fled for safety while taking to their heels.
The rumoured shooters who interrupted the carnival may have something to do with the rivalry between the Olukare of Ikare and the Owa-Ale, the two traditional rulers of the town.
The Owa-Ale was given first-class traditional ruler title by the state government in August 2022, giving the town two first-class obas.
The announcement of the curfew was made in a statement that Mr. Richard Olatunde, the governor's chief press secretary, signed and made accessible to reporters on Thursday in Akure.
According to the statement, the governor-led State Security Council meeting on Thursday was where the decision to enforce the curfew was made.
“This follows the escalated violent clash in the town since Tuesday, which has continued unabated, in spite of the meeting held between the government and the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh and Owa Ale of Iyometa, Oba Adeleke Adegbite, to control their subjects.
“Security agencies have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order, just as investigations are already on to unravel the real cause(s) of the violent clash.
“For emphasis, Ikare Akoko has been closed down for any unauthorised human movement and activity until further notice,” the statement said. (NAN)