Two persons have been allegedly killed in Ire Ekiti, in Oye Local Government of Ekiti state as this year’s Ogun Onire Festival turned bloody.
Spokesperson for the Ekiti State Police Command, Mr Sunday Abutu made this known to Radio Nigeria, Ado Ekiti.
Mr Abutu said the two persons lost their lives when the youths of the community embarked on a violent protest over the attitude of the Onire of Ire Ekiti, Oba Victor Babade to this year’s festival.
The police spokesman confirmed that the youths during the demonstration vandalized the palace of the monarch and as well set ablaze a police patrol van.
However, some youths in Ire Ekiti alleged that four persons were killed by the policemen deployed to the town to maintain peace.
They claimed that two persons were hit by stray bullets while two others were shot dead by the police.
When contacted, the Onire of Ire Ekiti, Oba Victor Babade said he had last week informed indigenes of the town of government’s guidelines on COVID-19, especially social distancing, hence the need to postpone this year’s festival but the youths opposed his decision and went ahead with the festival.
The monarch who stated that he narrowly escaped being lynched by the angry youths, condemned the action of the protesters.
Oba Babade also pointed out that the crisis was politically motivated.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Bimbo Daramola who hails from the town advised the angry youths to give peace a chance.
Mr Daramola appealed to them to consider Coronavirus ravaging the world as reason for the cancellation of the festival, saying that only the living can celebrate.
Amos Ogunrinde
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