••• AS POLICE CONFIRM DEATH OF FOUR
FRED HARRISON, Abuja
Kwara State Police Command on Saturday said normalcy has been restored along Ilorin Ajase-Ipo/Offa road urging motorists and travellers to go about their normal businesses and duties without fear of intimidation.
This was contained in a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Police Command, Okasanmi Ajayi, on Saturday.
The police said normalcy has been restored and the road cleared of every barrier created as a result of the misunderstanding between some people suspected to be members of OPC and cow dealers in Kara market of Ajase-Ipo, earlier today.
“The Ajase Ipo Offa road is now clear for movement of goods and services.
Therefore, any body who still goes there to cause lawlessness would be arrested and charged to court.” The statement said.
According to Ajayi, the Ajase-Ipo Divisional Police headquarters received information that some OPC members in a convoy of about 20 vehicles believed to have been coming from Oshogbo, Osun State, were passing through the Kara market where a cow being led across the road by its handler broke the side mirror of one of the OPC vehicles.
According to him, this resulted into an argument that eventually escalated into exchange of gun fire by both the OPC members and the Cow dealers in the market.
He stated that four lifeless bodies of unidentified persons were recovered at the scene.
“Meanwhile, the four unidentified dead bodies have been evacuated from the scene and deposited at the UITH mortuary, and the injured have been taken to the hospital in Ajase-Ipo for medical treatment while, policemen have been stationed at the scene to prevent further break down of law and order.” The statement said.
“We wish to inform the good people of Kwara State, especially people traversing along Ilorin Ajase-Ipo/Offa road that normalcy has been restored and the road cleared of every barrier created as a result of the misunderstanding between some people suspected to be members of OPC and cow dealers in Kara market of Ajase-Ipo which happened today 12/8/2022 at 1830hrs.”
“The immediate deployment of detachments of police men and teams of conventional policemen to the scene by the Commissioner of police, Kwara State Police Command, Cp Tuesday Assayomo psc (+) prevented the escalation and killings of more people
“The CP, therefore, advises that law abiding citizens in the area and commuters should go about their lawful businesses without any fear of attack or harassment.” The statement said.
