One killed, 2 houses razed in Kwara communal clash

One person was reportedly killed while 2 houses were burnt in a clash involving youths in Eyenkorin community, a suburb of Ilorin, Kwara State capital on Tuesday.

It was learnt that the crisis which began on Monday night between some cult members and the youth in the community asserted the life of a youth believed to have been murdered by a cult group while two houses said to belong to the father of the leader of a rival cult group was set ablaze in reprisal for the death of their kinsman.

Sources revealed that the some youth attacked the house of an elderly man believed to be the father of the leader of the cult group that allegedly killed a youth.

The incident was confirmed by the state police and the Kwara State Fire Service who were invited to put out the fire in the affected houses.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Olaiya, who confirmed the incident said that policemen had been deployed to the scene.

“Mobile Police men and tactical teams have been deployed and are presently on the ground. Peace has been restored to the community, please. Thank you very much”, the CP said.

The state fire service also confirmed the incident adding that two buildings were reduced to ashes in Eyenkorin, Asa Local Government, on Tuesday.

According to a statement signed by Hassan Adekunle, Head of Media and Publicity of the state fire service, “One building, comprising six rooms, and another with four rooms, were completely razed by the fire. The inferno left nothing but ruins in its wake, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and hatred.

“Investigations revealed a sinister plot, as the inferno was deliberately set by rival groups clashing in a deadly confrontation. One life was lost, and the bereaved group exacted revenge by targeting the home of the opposing group’s leader, leaving two houses in ruins. In a cruel twist, the attackers prevented occupants andsympathisers from putting out the fire, ensuring maximum destruction”, the fire service said.

Adekunle said, Prince Falade John, the Director of the State Fire Service, expressed his condolences to the families impacted and advised parents and guardians to instill good conduct in their wards and children in order to maintain a safe and peaceful society.

He stressed the singificant of community cohesion and conflict resolution, emphasised that violence only leads to more suffering and havoc, the statement said.