Two people have reportedly died following a violent clash at a motor park in Ikire, Osun State, on Monday.
The incident occurred at Naira and Kobo Junction in the town, where a dispute over control of the motor park allegedly escalated into violence.
According to sources, drivers reportedly loyal to the All Progressives Congress had been operating the park before another group of drivers said to be affiliated with the Accord Party arrived at about 10:30am and allegedly attempted to take control of the facility.
The ensuing confrontation reportedly resulted in gunshots and the deaths of two people.
Videos and photographs obtained from the scene showed two victims. In one of the videos, a man was seen inside a vehicle with an apparent wound to his head, while another image showed a man lying face down in a pool of blood.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the confrontation also resulted in damage to a new Toyota Hilux vehicle reportedly donated to the Ikire Divisional Police Station.
The eyewitness said the vehicle’s windscreen was smashed and its tyres damaged during the clash.
Another resident said an Accord Party member was shot during the confrontation.
The resident added that following the incident, some Accord members went to the palace of the Akire of Ikire to complain, alleging that the Divisional Police Officer was involved in the violence.
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However, another account attributed to the police gave a different explanation of the incident.
According to the account, members of the Accord group allegedly abducted the Secretary of the Palm Oil Sellers Association in Ikire, prompting the police to pursue the suspected abductors.
It was further claimed that an exchange of gunfire occurred during the pursuit, resulting in a stray bullet hitting one person.
The conflicting accounts could not immediately be independently verified.
Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, were unsuccessful, as calls to his mobile phone went unanswered. Messages sent to him were also yet to receive a response at the time of filing this report.
The incident has heightened tension in the community as security authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the clash and the reported deaths.