By Dada Ahmed.
The clash between cow dealers and some members of OPC on Ajase-Ipo/Offa road in Kwara state has claimed four lives, according to the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO for the Police Command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi.
Ajayi, who made the disclosure in a statement he and made available to Journalists in Ilorin on Friday and The Reporters in possession of the document,gave an insight into what led to the breach of security in the area on Friday.
He said:”Information received by Ajase-Ipo Divisional Police headquarters was to the effect that some OPC members in a convoy of about twenty 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.
“This resulted in an argument that eventually escalated into an exchange of gun fire by both the OPC members and the cow dealers in the market. Four lifeless bodies of unidentified persons were recovered at the scene.
“The immediate deployment of detachments of police men and teams of conventional police men to the scene by the Commissioner of police, Kwara State Police Command, Cp Tuesday Assayomo, prevented the escalation and killing of more people.
“Meanwhile, the four unidentified dead bodies have been evacuated from the scene and deposited at the UITH mortuary. The injured were taken to the hospital in Ajase-Ipo for medical treatment while police men have been stationed at the scene to prevent further break down of law and order.
“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 CP advises that law abiding citizens in the area and commuters should go about their lawful businesses without any fear of attack or harassment.”
